Transcript Highlights:

• Parents who did everything right during pregnancy, parents who brought home what appeared to be a healthy
• , they go after parents' children.
• We know how They go after parents. They go after parents' children. We know how this all goes.
• So parental rights are important. Health rights are important.
• In fact, a positive screen gives parents information.

Summary: The House took up several Senate and House bills, often suspending rules to advance them quickly. Early in the session, the chamber handled a Senate bill on student learning and mental health by insisting on its position and appointing a conference committee. It also referred a poverty-related petition away from Judiciary to the Committee on Children and Families after suspending Joint Rule 12. The House then considered a series of Ways and Means bills, including measures on police interactions with people with autism, honoring Blue Star families, Bolton land conveyances, newborn screening for congenital cytomegalovirus, affordable housing and cultural space in Brighton, increasing access to epinephrine, and civil rights and technology; most were amended, ordered to third reading, or passed to be engrossed. The most extensive debate centered on House 5441, requiring newborn screening for congenital CMV. Supporters described CMV as a common but often overlooked infection that can cause hearing loss, developmental delays, and other serious harms, arguing that universal screening would allow earlier treatment and better outcomes. An amendment to add several rare diseases was withdrawn, and a later amendment to create a broad parental opt-out was rejected by a roll call vote of 153-1. The bill then passed to be engrossed by a vote of 154-1. The House also passed House 5443 on expanded public access to epinephrine after emotional testimony about fatal anaphylaxis cases; that bill passed 149-0. Another major measure, House 5444 on civil rights and technology, would prohibit weaponized drones and robotic devices, restrict threatening or harassing use, and set rules for law enforcement use and warrant requirements. Members emphasized both public safety and civil liberties, and the bill passed to be engrossed by a vote of 154-1. The House also passed the Blue Star families bill, which creates commemorative license plates for immediate family members of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, with members speaking about fallen officers and the importance of honoring their families. Additional bills passed included the autism-related Blue Envelope bill, the Bolton land conveyance bill, and the Brighton affordable housing/cultural space bill. The session included multiple recesses, quorum checks, memorial tributes to Barney Frank and State Trooper Kevin Traynor, and concluded with the House adjourning to meet the next day in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• So parents guide the meaning... Of the content of any student's reflection.
• So parents guide the meaning and the school simply provides the space.
• It also reinforces parental authority.
• And is there a parent opt-out for something like this? Representative Scott: Mr.
• And I think that certainly, parents can bring that to that school.

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> last in the country for higher education last in the country for higher education funding.<00:54
• </c> money on education than ever before? money on education than ever before?
• </c> delineated by K through 12 education. delineated by K through 12 education.
• </c> we're not paying as much in education. we're not paying as much in education.
• </c> incentivize businesses to have parents incentivize businesses to have parents hours<01:19:17.760

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But you could see the movie with parental supervision.
• do things that your parents didn't allow you to do.
• We are all parents, grandparents, friends, We are all parents, grandparents, friends, neighbors of children
• As a lifelong educator, I know firsthand how a college education can change lives.
• As a lifelong educator, I know firsthand how a college education can change lives.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> director of Department of Education. director of Department of Education.
• </c> in paying for that education. in paying for that education.
• So you're saying the recipient of an education freedom account is the parent.
• </c> the students education, don't you think? the students education, don't you think?
• </c> of education. of education.

Committee: House Education Policy and Administration

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to turn over to Parent Voices. Terrienne.
• Stephen Proffer, the Director of Early Education at the California Department of Education.
• Stephen Profiter, Department of Education.
• Stephen Profiter, Department of Education.
• They lifted 120,000 single parents out of poverty.

Summary: The committee heard an extensive Department of Social Services presentation on child care budget issues, including the Governor’s proposed 2026-27 budget, federal CCDF changes, Prop. 64 revenue adjustments, and a one-time $11.5 million disaster-related infrastructure grant for licensed child care facilities affected by 2025 declared disasters. DSS said federal formula updates and lower Prop. 64 revenues would reduce funding and could result in about 4,176 CCTR slots being reduced, but the department said it was working to avoid impacts to currently enrolled children. The LAO supported aligning general child care funding with lower revenues and asked for more detail on the disaster grant. Members pressed DSS and Finance on why reductions were not being backfilled and why so many awarded slots remain uncontracted or unused; DSS said delays are largely due to providers building new infrastructure, licensing, staffing, and enrollment challenges, and that some unspent funds revert to the General Fund. The committee also discussed whether some contract dollars should be shifted to vouchers and whether more flexibility should be allowed for infrastructure and expansion costs. A second panel focused on the state’s commitment to expand child care and on rate reform. DSS reported that nearly 125,000 new slots have been awarded since 2021-22, but speakers from Stanislaus County Office of Education, Parent Voices California, and the California Budget and Policy Center argued that unmet need remains large and that the system still leaves many families without access. Stanislaus County described a large local shortage of infant and toddler care and said reimbursement disparities between child care programs and state preschool create disincentives for providers. Parent Voices gave testimony about the burdens and instability families face when trying to access care, especially for survivors and low-income parents, and called for a universal, publicly funded system. The Budget Center said only about 16% of eligible children were enrolled in 2024, urged expansion across the mixed delivery system rather than concentrating investment in TK, and called for faster rate reform and new revenue. LAO estimated that bringing certain CCTR adjustment factors up to CSPP levels would cost $88 million to $131 million ongoing. Members and witnesses discussed the single rate structure, automation needs, and the need for deadlines and a ramp-up plan; DSS said the goal is to eliminate disparities, but that policy decisions are still needed before automation can proceed. The committee then reviewed several trailer bill proposals. DSS outlined a 2026-27 COLA proposal that would apply a 2.41% increase through cost-of-care-plus payments, though the department said it had inadvertently excluded CalWORKs Child Care and the Emergency Child Care Bridge Program and would revise the proposal; LAO recommended making the COLA methodology uniform across programs. DSS also proposed replacing the market rate survey with the federally approved alternative methodology on a triennial schedule, limiting temporary absences in family child care homes to 20% of monthly hours, defining excessive unexplained absences as more than 30 days in a year, and aligning family fee deductions with new federal requirements so providers receive the full voucher value. Members generally supported the temporary absence change and asked about implementation timing for the family fee deduction, with DSS saying it was in contact with Riverside County. The committee also heard a brief update on the Early Childhood Policy Council reappropriation, which would extend unused funds through June 30, 2028 because prior costs came in higher than expected.

Transcript Highlights:

• Later, our children are still the most underinvested in when it comes to our education, the poorest education
• Board of Education. It didn't end at the civil rights era. It hasn't ended today.
• I'm proud to bring a group of dedicated parents, and all of us who are parents love when you get dedicated
• I join advocates, parents, children, and doctors in bringing focus to rare diseases.
• My parents, I remember sitting in my mother's bedroom.

Summary: The Assembly met with a quorum call at the start, then proceeded with Black History Month observances, including a libation ceremony, the Pledge of Allegiance, and remarks emphasizing remembrance, ancestry, and the importance of honoring Black history. The chamber also handled routine procedural matters, including dispensing with the journal, re-referring certain Senate budget items to the Budget Committee, and allowing guest introductions and other unanimous-consent requests. The main floor action was on Assembly Concurrent Resolution 134, recognizing Black History Month. Members from multiple caucuses spoke in support, highlighting the historical contributions of Black Americans, the ongoing effects of slavery and segregation, the need to protect voting rights and education, and the importance of solidarity across communities. The resolution was adopted by voice vote after 74 co-authors were added. The Assembly also adopted Assembly Concurrent Resolution 132, declaring February 28 as Rare Disease Day. Members shared personal stories about ALS and other rare diseases, described barriers to diagnosis, treatment, and insurance coverage, and called for more research and support. The resolution received broad bipartisan support, with 71 co-authors added before adoption by voice vote. The chamber then recognized a series of Black History Month Unsung Heroes honorees, including community leaders, health professionals, advocates, and public servants, and later heard additional guest introductions. The meeting concluded with adjournments in memory of Peyton Trilling and John Jackson, followed by announcements and adjournment until February 26 at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this amendment basically says that if a parent puts their child in a particular school, the parent
• Parental involvement will still be a cornerstone of this school model.
• So how can parents and students be confident that their concerns over any complaints regarding parents
• The parents will not have to depend on outsiders to do this.
• Senator Martin: I'm not aware of a formal education plan.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge, and heard several member introductions and recognitions. The Rules Chair moved CS/CS/SB 622 to the end of the special order calendar, which was adopted without objection. SB 80 on state land management was temporarily postponed, as were later bills SB 716 and CS/CS/CS/SB 1348. The chamber then took up a series of bills, often substituting House companions and adopting amendments before final passage. Measures approved included a comprehensive waste reduction and recycling plan (HB 295, 38-0), mitigation banking and land development changes with a phosphate mining lands amendment (CS/CS/SB 492, 35-3), aggravated animal cruelty with a searchable FDLE database and sentencing multiplier (HB 255, 37-0), the Spectrum Alert for missing children with autism and related training/funding (HB 711, 37-0), newborn screening for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (CS/CS/HB 1089, 36-0), and revisions to the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program to expand eligible mitigation projects and adjust approval thresholds (CS/CS/HB 393, 37-0). The Senate also passed workforce education legislation allowing charter schools access to grant funding and expanding money-back guarantees (HB 1145, 37-0), a statewide study on automation and workforce impact (HB 827, 35-0), parole guideline revisions (HB 181, 37-0), court-appointed psychologist procedures in family law cases (HB 901, 37-0), sexual cyber harassment protections covering digitally forged intimate images (HB 1451, 37-0), a home health aide program for medically fragile children with training and reimbursement provisions (CS/CS/SB 1156, 37-0), substance abuse and mental health care changes including 988 oversight and involuntary examination procedures (HB 1091, 37-0), a feasibility study for a statewide pond data database (HB 1359, 37-0), and Department of Law Enforcement housekeeping changes and retired police dog reimbursements (HB 1053, 37-0). The most extensive debate centered on the charter schools bill (HB 443), which expanded charter autonomy, reporting parity, enrollment flexibility, and governance rules; after a delete-all amendment and a friendly amendment, it was placed on the third-reading calendar rather than immediately voted on. Several bills were briefly discussed with concerns about transparency, accountability, funding, and constitutional issues, but all bills brought to a vote during this segment passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Good afternoon, and welcome to Senate Education Day. I apologize for the little bit of delay there.
• Some homeschool parents... ...streamlined for everyone involved, parents and schools alike.
• Homeschool parents, and moms in particular, are some of the hardest-working people you'll meet.
• Just a little background: in 2005, the Idaho Schools for Equal Education Opportunity v.
• The Idaho Schools for Equal Education Opportunity v. Idaho is a Supreme Court case.

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• foster parent and adoptive parent of children with disabilities who received special education services
• </c><04:04:22.840><c> in</c><04:04:23.040><c> educational</c> foster parents in educational foster parents
• 10 years for parents who wanted to become educational surrogate parents.
• In the special education process, parents play an essential role.
• of Education,' or someone else right in the middle of that, it says a foster parent may be appointed

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting began with committee process reminders from the chair, including rules for questioning witnesses, time limits for testimony, and how motions and committee reports are handled. The chair also discussed the committee’s history, emphasized a cooperative approach with agencies and the Judiciary, and noted that a special committee on the Family Division of Circuit Court had previously done useful work; he said a new subcommittee could be appointed later to continue looking at judicial-system issues. He also mentioned that the Speaker’s office was expected to name members to the DHHS oversight committee by Friday at 1. The substantive presentation was from the Department of Health and Human Services’ Bureau of Child Support Services. Attorney John Williams introduced the bureau team, and Bureau Chief Lisa Dekowski described the program’s mission: encouraging responsible parenting, family self-sufficiency, and child well-being by locating parents, establishing paternity, setting or modifying support orders, and enforcing court-ordered child and medical support. She said the bureau operates statewide under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, works with courts, employers, and other partners, and serves both in-state and out-of-state cases, with some international and tribal coordination. She also cited program scale, saying the bureau dispersed about $76 million to families in New Hampshire in fiscal year 2023 and that most collections go directly to families. Members asked about enforcement tools, especially passport denial. In response to a question about a case involving a very small shortfall, the bureau said the federal passport-denial threshold is $2,500 in arrears, not a few cents, and that denial remains in place until the balance is resolved or an arrangement is made with the agency, with hardship factors potentially considered. The bureau also explained that either parent can apply for services when a child support order exists and that the bureau can help initiate income withholding orders. No votes or formal actions were taken during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Location settings or for the Committee on Public Education HB 3313 by Holt relating to the font and top
• educational environment, including the parental rights relates to that transition and administration
• of the certain student with a criminal or disciplinary history for the Committee on Public Education
• HB 3326 by Alan Ruling said certain duties of a public institution of higher education in relation to
• the Federal Public Service Student loan forgiveness Program for this Committee on Higher Education.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> child's parent had passed away. child's parent had passed away.
• Parents have a choice.
• Parents have a choice.
• </c> than that between a parent and a child. than that between a parent and a child.
• </c> need talk to even your parents. need talk to even your parents.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Parents who did everything right during pregnancy, parents who brought home what appeared to be a healthy
• , they go after parents' children.
• We know how ...they go after parents. They go after parents' children. We know how this all goes.
• So parental rights is important. Health rights are important.
• In fact, a positive screen gives parents information.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House took up several Senate and House bills, mostly under suspension of the rules, and advanced a number of measures to third reading or engrossment. Early in the session, the House dealt with a Senate bill on student learning and mental health by insisting on its position and appointing a committee of conference. It also referred a Senate petition on alleviating poverty to the Committee on Children and Families after the House declined to concur with a Judiciary referral. The chamber then considered and advanced multiple Ways and Means bills, including legislation on police interactions with people with autism spectrum disorder, honoring Blue Star families, land conveyance in Bolton, newborn screening for congenital cytomegalovirus, affordable housing and cultural space in Brighton, increasing access to epinephrine, and civil rights and technology. Several bills drew extended floor debate. Supporters of the epinephrine bill emphasized its life-saving purpose and described the death of Michael Brown as a catalyst for the measure; the House adopted the bill after a roll call vote of 149-0. The newborn CMV screening bill also prompted substantial testimony in favor from public health advocates and parents, who argued that universal screening would enable earlier treatment and reduce long-term harm; an amendment to add other rare diseases was withdrawn, and a later amendment creating a broad opt-out was defeated 1-153 before the bill passed 154-1. The civil rights and technology bill focused on banning weaponized drones and robotic devices, restricting misuse, and preserving law enforcement and civil liberties; it passed 154-1. The Blue Star families bill, creating commemorative plates for families of fallen law enforcement officers, passed 156-0 after emotional remarks from members and supporters. The House also passed without recorded opposition a bill facilitating better interactions between police and people with autism, and it approved a Bolton land conveyance bill and the Brighton affordable housing/cultural space bill. The chamber observed moments of silence for former Congressman Barney Frank and State Trooper Kevin Traynor, welcomed several guest groups, and concluded by adopting an order to meet the next day at 11 a.m. before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• , with the poorest education outcomes.
• Board of Education. It didn't end at the civil rights era. It hasn't ended today.
• I'm proud to bring a group of dedicated parents, and all of us who are parents love when you get dedicated
• are from the parent mentoring advisory group up there in the gallery.
• My parents, I remember sitting in my mother's bedroom.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to turn over to Parent Voices. Terrienne.
• Yes, Stephen Proffer, the director of early education at the California Department of Education.
• Stephen Profiter, Department of Education.
• Stephen Profiter, Department of Education.
• They lifted 120,000 single parents out of poverty.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So thank you for your interest in civic education and being wonderful Girl Scouts.
• President, your Committee on Education, having under consideration SB 1327 relating to board foreign
• President, your Committee on Education, having under consideration SB 1327 relating to board foreign
• temporary legal decision-making or parenting time.
• Low scores result in being banned from travel, education, and employment.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Department of Education is also responsible for educating our kids on agriculture, if you want to
• And I had no idea how the vote would be when I went to the Education Committee.
• Education is not my forte. It's the first time I've ever been in front of that committee.
• And what if a parent doesn't want their kid to participate?
• Talk about laying burdens on educators.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the previous day’s journal, and swore in new pages. It then received several messages from the Senate and Governor, including Senate-passed bills being referred to committees and House Bills 514 and 515 being transmitted to the Governor. Committee reports moved a number of bills and memorials to second reading, general orders, or committee referral, including measures on Medicaid managed care review, taxation, public utilities, foster care, and other administrative updates. The chamber then took up multiple third-reading bills. House Bill 630, concerning aerial shooting of predators such as wolves and coyotes, passed 60-8 with 2 abstentions. House Bill 631, on certificates of free sale for Idaho products, passed 62-7. House Bill 548, requiring reasonable suspicion before stopping and boarding vessels on the water, passed 68-0 with 2 abstentions. House Bill 599, revising the public school digital content and curriculum grant process, passed 68-0 with 2 abstentions. House Bill 731, entering Idaho into a federal tax credit scholarship framework, passed 68-0. House Bill 603, clarifying rules on camping and property handling on state facilities, passed 68-0. House Bills 689 and 690 also passed unanimously with 68 ayes each, and House Bill 698, closing a voting-law loophole related to treason in another state, passed 68-0. The House also passed House Bill 642, creating a catastrophic benefit for public safety officers killed or catastrophically injured in the line of duty, with 68 ayes and no opposition; one member declared a conflict because a spouse is a law enforcement officer. House Bill 563, easing CPA licensure pathways and clarifying practice privileges, passed 67-0 with 3 absent and excused. House Bill 623, requiring a 60-second moment of silence at the start of each public school day, drew the most debate over local control, teacher burden, and whether it should be a mandate; it ultimately passed 51-17 with 2 absent and excused. The remaining third-reading bills were held one legislative day, a committee letter on agricultural rules was filed, the House noted the death of former Representative Bob Geddes Sr., welcomed professional firefighters in the gallery, and then adjourned until 11:00 a.m. on February 25, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> sorry, a written approval of the parents sorry, a written approval of the parents to<00:26:46.880
• that it's very clear that the parents that it's very clear that the<00:27:30.640><c> parents</c><00:
• </c><00:30:08.320><c> we</c> parent parent or guardian which we parent parent or guardian which we already
• </c> took um a minor without the parents took um a minor without the parents permission<00:35:48.000>
• education action. There was a lot of education action.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's got to be the community helping with the education, the family helping with the education.
• The community is helping with the education, the family's helping with the education.
• workshops and educating parents.
• co-educators of their students.
• So education was a family endeavor.

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• organization led by survivor parents, and I strongly support AB 2.
• More importantly, Survivor parents, and I strongly support AB 2.
• And it leaves parents feeling helpless.
• parents to opt out of the settings should they choose.
• I'm not a parent, and I've been sitting with the two Assembly members and parent and grandparents and

Committee: Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 987, senate, all