Transcript Highlights:

• requires an annual Governance board within the University of Missouri system, and requires an annual public
• I want there to be transparency and legislative accountability, and that is through an annual public
• And I want that investment to be both on a public side, but I also want it to be on a private side.
• What we're providing the public, no matter what political party they belong to, is excellent and all
• that is a public benefit.

Committee: House Higher Education and Workforce Development

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll do public comment because we have a number of bills. Thank you. We'll do public comment.
• Seeing none, we'll now go to public comment.
• We'll have a public comment. Is there anybody signed in for public comment? Only if necessary, Mr.
• Republican and Democrat, if you need a public record, you should not be stymied by these public records
• The bill specifies the public safety policy must require the superintendent to perform prescribed duties

Committees: House Education , House House Education Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> state,</c><00:05:48.240><c> and</c> public resources, local, state, and public resources, local,
• County Public Schools. So, you may ask County Public Schools.
• </c> public organizations are able to do. public organizations are able to do.
• for public scrutiny.
• </c> code to the public for public scrutiny. code to the public for public scrutiny.

Summary: The committee met to approve the October 21 minutes and then took up BR 25 for the 2026 regular session, a proposal relating to prohibited uses of tax dollars and public resources. The sponsors said the bill is intended to strengthen existing law by adding civil and criminal penalties for taxpayer-funded advocacy on ballot questions, especially in light of controversies during the 2024 election over school officials and districts using public resources to oppose a constitutional amendment. They also described related concerns about school districts hiring third-party lobbyists and public relations firms, particularly in Fayette County, and said the proposal was meant to keep tax dollars focused on public services rather than political persuasion. Committee members raised several concerns about scope and drafting. Some asked whether the bill should specifically mention schools, school boards, and school employees, and the sponsors said they would add that language. Others questioned whether the measure would also affect local government lobbying through groups like KLC and KCO, and the sponsors said they intended to focus narrowly on schools while exempting certain advocacy organizations and internal government lobbyists. Members also asked whether public employees could still speak as private individuals, and the sponsors said yes. Several members suggested splitting the lobbying and ballot-advocacy issues into separate bills, and the sponsors said they would consider that. Members also pressed for clarification on how the bill would apply in practice, including whether it would cover legal challenges to petition drives or only advocacy after a question is on the ballot. Counsel for the sponsors said the bill would not cover some petition-related litigation as drafted, though they believed it should. The sponsors and supporters argued the proposal was needed to give the existing prohibition real enforcement, while some members warned that the language could unintentionally limit legitimate public representation or be too broad if not carefully drafted. No final vote was taken during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Any person who owes a child a duty of care.
• What about somebody who doesn't owe a duty of care?
• So it has that same duty-of-care language. It's not just a person.
• </c> person doesn't owe an individual a duty person doesn't owe an individual a duty of<00:39:44.400>
• 03:24:27.600><c> and</c> of um New Hampshire public schools and of um New Hampshire public schools and

Committee: House Children and Family Law

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and provides duties there, too. and provides duties there, too.
• You know, I mean, it's a public good here, right? And we know it's a public good.
• You know, I mean, it's a public good here, right? And we know it's a public good.
• You know, I mean, it's a public good here, right? And we know it's a public good.
• You know, I mean, it's a public good here, right? And we know it's a public good.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> which was resolved quickly with a public which was resolved quickly with a public apology<00:04:
• </c><00:26:57.560><c> expects</c> do you believe that the public expects do you believe that the public
• And do you think that<00:30:25.200><c> the</c><00:30:25.360><c> public</c> that the public that the public
• A public notice adopt ethics procedures.
• ,</c> member of the public, member of the public, when<00:39:03.320><c> we're</c><00:39:03.440><c> talking

Committee: House Ethics

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair has reserved the right to call public officials out of turn.
• Additionally, I want to note that the public officials who intend to testify on the panel will not be
• Public Council Services.
• I'm a certified public accountant in Massachusetts, licensed since 1998.
• I'm a member of the Boston Bar Association Bankruptcy Section of the Public Policy Subcommittee.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary held a hearing on a wide range of state, probate, and family bills, with chairs Edwards and Day outlining strict testimony limits and accepting written testimony. Early testimony focused on H. 1911/S. 1138, which would clarify that a durable power of attorney may create a trust if that authority is expressly granted; sponsors and elder law advocates said the bill would resolve uncertainty created by the Barbetti decision and align Massachusetts with other states. A major portion of the hearing centered on S. 1102, a proposal to establish medical panels in Probate and Family Court. Supporters, including attorneys, parents, physicians, and advocates, said neutral three-doctor panels would help judges resolve disputed medical issues in guardianship and custody cases involving children, elders, and people with disabilities. Testifiers described cases where medical treatment was blocked or contested by one parent or guardian, arguing the panels would provide impartial expertise and protect vulnerable people. The committee also heard support for bills addressing disability discrimination in family court, military parents’ custody rights, and a shared parenting bill, H. 1710, which drew strong opposition from domestic violence advocates and others who said a 50-50 presumption could harm survivors and children. The committee also took testimony on several probate and court-administration measures. Senator Lovely supported a bill on nominee trust partition, and Senator Comerford and probate officials backed legislation to codify additional registry staff positions and modernize registry operations. Other bills discussed included foster care liability insurance, with providers warning that rising premiums and loss of coverage could force program closures; health care proxy storage and activation; access to decedents’ email accounts; uniform trust decanting; the Uniform Voidable Transactions Act; heirs’ property partition protections; a constitutional right to health care; alimony-related reforms; child-centered family law; and a right of disposition for funeral arrangements. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the committee repeatedly invited written testimony and follow-up questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is not public safety. That is not safety policy. This is picking winners and losers.
• We heard this bill in your Committee on Public Safety.
• I filed that as a preemptive thing because I know I had a duty as an attorney. I do.
• That's a publication that was put out, and the juvenile officers have agreed to that.
• It was put in by public defenders, prosecutors, law enforcement officers, judicial officers.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the previous journal by roll call. Members then offered personal privilege remarks honoring Dr. Penelope Martin Knox of Raytown Schools for Black History Month and introduced guests, including Adeline Overcast, who was made a page for the day, and visitors from a rural hospital in Rolla. Several new bills were first read, including measures on blind pensions, penalties for impeding first responders, and flag display in the state capitol. The chamber then took up multiple third-reading bills. House Bill 2596, dealing with multiple employee self-insured health plans for small businesses, passed unanimously after supporters said it would help small employers offer affordable health coverage. House Bill 1644, addressing franchisor liability and joint-employer issues, passed 103-45 after debate over whether it protected small businesses or limited workers’ ability to sue franchisors. House Bill 2423, increasing funding for the Division of Finance through fee authority, passed 146-0 despite concerns about higher costs being passed on to consumers. House Bill 2641, regulating intoxicating hemp-derived products and aligning state law with federal changes, drew extensive debate over a beverage carve-out, impacts on hemp businesses, and public safety; it passed 109-34. The House also passed House Bills 2498 and the combined House Bills 2637 and 3155. HB 2498, a juvenile justice reform bill shifting some referral responsibilities to prosecutors and expanding information sharing, passed 100-44 after strong debate over whether it would politicize juvenile cases and overburden treatment facilities, versus claims it would improve accountability and public safety. The combined sentencing bill, HB 2637/3155, passed 102-45 amid disagreement over whether it was truly a transparency measure or instead increased mandatory minimums and reduced judicial discretion. Finally, the House considered House Joint Resolution 154, which opponents described as an attack on Medicaid expansion tied to work requirements. Supporters argued it would encourage able-bodied recipients to work, volunteer, or attend school and reduce administrative costs, while opponents warned it would increase bureaucracy and risk coverage losses for vulnerable Missourians. The transcript ends during the procedural vote on the previous question for HJR 154, before the final disposition is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll go ahead and move straight into public testimony. Thank you so much. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• With that, we will close the public hearing for Senate Bill 6152, and we will open the public hearing
• We'll go ahead and move to our public testimony. We have one individual, Kate Durkin in person.
• That will conclude the testimony and the public hearing for Senate Bill 5944.
• We will now open public testimony and hear in Senate Bill 6039.

Bills: SB5437 , SB6152 , SB6058 , SB5944 , SB6039 , SB6117

Committee: Senate Labor & Commerce

Keywords: noncompete, noncompetition agreement, restrictive covenant, nonsolicitation, employment contract, worker mobility, labor law, wage suppression, trade secrets, confidentiality agreement, franchise, independent contractor, employee mobility, economic growth, entrepreneurship, job mobility, restraint of trade, customer solicitation, post-employment restrictions, FTC noncompete rule

Transcript Highlights:

• America's traveling public safe and improve public trust in our air travel system.
• duties of air traffic controllers. I'm appreciative for our witnesses being here today.
• And the American flying public deserves answers to these important questions.
• I ask the public needs to hear this.
• I can assure you, to the flying public, to fly is safe.

Committees: Senate Aviation Safety, Operations, and Innovation , Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

Keywords: aviation safety, midair collision, American Airlines Flight 5342, Army Black Hawk helicopter, NTSB, FAA, ADS-B technology, safety protocols

Summary: The meeting focused on the discussions surrounding the tragic midair collision involving American Airlines Flight 5342 and an Army Black Hawk helicopter, which resulted in the loss of 67 lives. Testimonies were provided by key figures including NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy and FAA Acting Administrator Chris Richelieu. The committee expressed grave concerns regarding the existing safety protocols, questioning why the FAA failed to act on numerous warnings and data indicating potential collision risks. Members emphasized the need for urgent reforms in aviation safety to prevent such tragedies in the future. Specific highlights included the recognition of the importance of ADS-B out technology and concerns about the operational practices of military helicopters in controlled airspaces.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am before you today as a longtime public servant with nearly 20 years of service in state government
• I covered a broad range of budget and policy issues, including transportation, public safety, labor,
• Among our many duties, we oversee employee insurance for 131,000 state employees, their family members
• </c><00:04:14.079><c> we</c> Minnesota among our many duties we Minnesota among our many duties we oversee
• and facilitating public access to the<00:04:40.520><c> state's</c><00:04:40.840><c> financial</c><00

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Luam Tesfai, California Public Utilities Commission.
• Luam Tesfai, Public Utilities Commission.
• So those are our public statements.
• and heavy-duty freight charging side.
• and heavy-duty freight charging side.

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection and Energy heard presentations on six budget-related issues and took no votes; all items were held open for a future hearing. The first item concerned funding for the California Transmission Accelerator Revolving Fund under SB 254 and Proposition 4. GoBiz and IBank requested nearly $26 million over five years and 10 limited-term positions to evaluate and finance eligible transmission projects. The LAO said the proposal was broadly consistent with Prop. 4 but noted many implementation details remain unresolved. Senators questioned how the program would lower ratepayer costs, how funds would be protected, and whether the full requested amount was necessary; the administration said the financing strategy is still being developed and that consultants are needed. The committee then discussed trailer bill language to redirect $22 million in General Fund money from the DEPA program to DSGS for summer 2026, and to use roughly $70 million in CalSHAPE interest for ratepayer relief through ELRP or an equivalent program in 2027-28. CEC and CPUC staff said DSGS and ELRP are reliability tools, not PSPS programs, and explained that DSGS had enrolled over 1,000 MW and was expected to have about $52 million available for 2026. Senators and the LAO raised concerns about ending a successful DSGS program, the complexity of transitioning customers to ELRP, and whether CalSHAPE funds should instead continue school HVAC and plumbing projects. Public commenters largely supported extending CalSHAPE and continuing or expanding DSGS rather than shifting funds to ELRP. The subcommittee also heard on petroleum market oversight under SBX1-2 and ABX2-1. The CEC and its Division of Petroleum Market Oversight requested about $1.67 million and a small permanent staffing increase to implement new inventory, resupply, and market analysis duties. Senators pressed the agencies on gasoline price spikes, refinery maintenance, price gouging, and the status of the transportation fuels transition plan, which staff said would be released in draft form soon. Public testimony supported DPMO’s work and called for continued oversight of gasoline pricing. Finally, the CPUC presented three additional budget proposals: resources to implement AB 1207’s changes to the California climate credit, funding for a study of large electrical loads such as data centers under SB 57, and staffing for AB 825’s regional market participation requirements. The LAO said the AB 1207 request may go beyond the statute and urged the Legislature to decide whether it wants a simpler or more complex climate credit redesign. Senators questioned the cost of the work, the need for ongoing staffing, and how ratepayer interests would be protected. The CPUC said the work is needed to adapt to changing load patterns, electrification, data center growth, and potential regional market participation. Public commenters also supported DPMO funding, CalSHAPE, and DSGS, and some urged the Legislature to keep DSGS at the CEC rather than shift funds to ELRP.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> abusive billing practices in our public abusive billing practices in our public health<00:17:26.000
• A longer strategic of public trust.
• </c> public statements. public statements.
• Uh, this is not only a public health issue, a public safety issue, but most importantly it's a human
• Uh this is not only a public<01:46:12.640><c> health</c> public health public health uh<01:46:14.600>

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• To improve the lives of our youth and with a commitment to public safety.
• , knowing that those duties are very important.
• Cavazos is not a nurse; he is one of the public.
• So yeah, you know, the public members of the Texas Board of Public Accountancy helped me a lot by looking
• We will now have public testimony.

Committee: Senate Nominations

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> relative to a quorum of the Public relative to a quorum of the Public Utilities<00:11:07.120><c>
• </c> little public little public support<00:17:44.200><c> so</c><00:17:44.400><c> I</c><00:17:44.520>
• </c><00:19:26.840><c> Utilities</c> councils our state's Public Utilities councils our state's Public
• </c> relief by increas in funding for public relief by increas in funding for public education<01:05:
• </c> Hampshire's public Hampshire's public safety<03:15:18.680><c> then</c><03:15:19.160><c> I</c><03

Transcript Highlights:

• Good afternoon, everyone, and welcome to the Assembly Standing Committee on Public Safety.
• order to facilitate the goal of conducting a hearing, and as we proceed with witness testimony and public
• Existing law requires the sheriff to investigate public offenses which have been committed.
• And welcome, Assembly Member Hart, to your Public Safety Committee.
• And welcome, Assembly Member Hart, to your Public Safety Committee. Thank you. Very good.

Summary: The Assembly Standing Committee on Public Safety heard one item, Senate Bill 73 by Senator Cervantes, and took up committee and Elections Committee amendments. The bill was described as strengthening protections against interference in elections by extending restrictions to military personnel at polling places, protecting the chain of custody of voted ballots, and limiting law enforcement access to voting machines and voter rosters without a court order. The chair explained that the committee amendments would remove certain criminal penalties for peace officers, restore a uniform requirement for some polling-place personnel, and clarify the effect of objections by the Secretary of State or Attorney General. The author and supporters, including API Force and CHIRLA, argued the bill was needed to respond to threats of intimidation and election interference, citing concerns about armed personnel at polling places and the Riverside County sheriff’s seizure of ballots. Supporters said the measure would protect voters, especially immigrant communities and in-person voters, and preserve confidence in election administration. Opposition from the California State Sheriffs’ Association and CALA argued the bill was vague, could hinder lawful criminal investigations, and improperly restrict law enforcement and federal election oversight. After closing remarks, the committee voted to pass SB 73 as amended to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. The vote was 6-1, with one member not voting. The chair and another member recommended an aye, while one member voted no.

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Public Service. Department of Agriculture. Department of Public Service.
• We want the public to be able to hear you. Okay. Sorry.
• And it's hard to maintain when you have morning duty, you've got lunch duty.
• And it's hard to maintain when you have morning duty, you've got lunch duty.
• They also reduce long-term public cost.

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• Could they do that without a public hearing? I don't think so. I don't know.
• Under the duties imposed by this bill, the department notes that schools could be liable if they fail
• /c><00:42:16.440><c> to</c><00:42:16.680><c> nurture</c><00:42:17.040><c> and</c> fulfilling their duty
• of haido employees involved the duties of haido employees involved with<00:44:37.520><c> his</c><00:
• Members, on this proposal, the phrasing should say “public school” and “charter schools.”

Summary: The Committee on Education met on January 30 and heard testimony on several bills, beginning with an announcement asking testifiers and members to keep remarks brief because of weather. The vice chair also explained that HB 440, relating to immigration issues in schools and state hospitals, was removed from the agenda because the proposal would not create meaningful legal protections and immigration policy is governed by federal law. The committee then moved through a series of education-related measures, with testimony largely from the Department of Education, the School Facilities Authority, the Attorney General’s office, unions, advocacy groups, and individual testifiers. On HB 330, concerning school impact fees, the School Facilities Authority supported the bill as aligning policy with implementation, while the Tax Foundation of Hawaii said the fee accounts have accumulated large balances, including more than $20 million in impact fee funds and nearly $9 million from predecessor fair-share contributions, and urged that collected money be used rather than left idle. DOE said it would follow up on the balance and why it was not being used. On HB 1188, dealing with workforce housing, DOE and the Charter School Commission offered comments or support, the Attorney General suggested clarifying the phrase “within commuting distance” by using a mileage standard and adding repayment language, and HSTA, HGEA, and others supported the bill, with HSTA saying teachers need housing to be able to live and work in Hawaii. On HB 624 and HB 625, both related to school psychologists, DOE said it would participate in a work group on the pathway bill and supported the incentive program bill; school psychologists and related groups supported the measures, while one testifier said DOE should not lead the work group alone because school psychologists may work in many education settings beyond DOE schools. The committee also heard HB 1314 on youth mental health in schools. DOE described its student support process, universal screening tools, and behavioral health services, saying schools already identify and respond to concerns and that staff are trained to report issues, while the Attorney General warned the bill could expose schools to liability and recommended a broad liability waiver. Testimony was mixed, with several supporters and one opponent. On HB 616, concerning school safety and harassment protections for educational workers, the Attorney General sought clarifying amendments on harassment definitions, temporary restraining order costs, and paid leave, while HSTA, HGEA, and individual teachers strongly supported the bill, describing harassment incidents and arguing for a standardized statewide response. DOE said it already has reporting pathways, visitor codes of conduct, trespass notices, and an ethics hotline, but acknowledged implementation varies by school and that staff can escalate concerns if needed. The committee also began hearing HB 88 on a three-year pilot program for athletic travel, but the transcript cuts off before that bill’s testimony is completed or any votes are taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection Committee has met and reports House Bill 7 should pass
• </c> Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection<00:10:33.840
• </c><00:20:31.880><c> that</c> 50%, that somebody breached a duty that 50%, that somebody breached a
• duty that caused<00:20:32.400><c> them</c><00:20:32.600><c> damages.
• </c><00:54:30.200><c> truck</c> state's Class 7 and 8 heavy-duty truck state's Class 7 and 8 heavy-duty

Transcript Highlights:

• :00:45.440><c> non-public</c> audited to non-public audited to non-public entities<01:00:47.760><c> and
• </c> families that said I got a great public families that said I got a great public education<01:00:
• </c> current schools however 28 public current schools however 28 public schools<01:07:27.920><c> and
• </c> adequately funding our public adequately funding our public neighborhood<01:44:20.239><c> schools
• </c> name of violence prevention and Public name of violence prevention and Public Safety<02:31:12.840