Transcript Highlights:

• The board's mission is to protect and promote the health and safety of California dental consumers.
• We've seen the consequences of failing to protect medical records.
• But even with those protections, gaps in access to care still remain.
• Motion is due pass to Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies and Consumer Protection. Wahab? Aye.
• It doesn't even enter the area of increased traffic accidents and the like.

Summary: The committee met as a subcommittee until quorum was established, then took up a series of bills on business, professions, health, cannabis, and consumer protection. AB 72, creating an electric vehicle economic opportunity zone in Riverside County, drew questions about whether the state should target one region over others, but supporters argued it would help bring EV manufacturing and related jobs to the Inland Empire. The bill passed on a 8-1 vote to Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement. AB 685, which would create the Small Business Resiliency and Innovation Fund to support technical assistance and capital infusion programs, drew broad support from small business networks and chambers, but some groups raised concerns that the June amendments could affect eligibility and that the funding should be clearly supplemental rather than replacing existing support. The author said discussions were ongoing, and the bill passed 10-0 to Senate Appropriations. The committee also approved AB 173, a resolution, on a 7-0 vote, and AB 1760, a Dental Practice Act cleanup bill sponsored by the Dental Board, on a 10-0 vote. AB 1637, which would limit changes to physician-authored medical records and make unauthorized alterations a misdemeanor, was supported by physicians and labor groups who said it would protect patient safety and professional accountability; it passed 10-0 to Senate Appropriations. AB 1785, allowing online sales of pseudoephedrine products with existing age and quantity safeguards, passed 10-0. AB 1973, expanding the ability of advanced practice clinicians to perform procedural abortions within their training, drew strong support from reproductive health providers and strong opposition from anti-abortion witnesses who raised safety concerns; after questions about training and oversight, it passed 7-3 to Senate Appropriations. The committee then considered AB 2025, requiring disclosure when rental listings use digitally altered or AI-staged images. Supporters said it would prevent renters from being misled, while the California Apartment Association said it was working with the author on implementation; the bill passed 8-1 to Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies and Consumer Protection. AB 2697, allowing drive-through cannabis sales with local approval and security requirements, was supported by cannabis businesses and operators as a way to improve access and compete with the illicit market, while narcotics officers opposed it over ID verification and public safety concerns; it passed 7-3 to Senate Appropriations. Finally, AB 2249, responding to a state audit on cannabis packaging attractive to children by defining prohibited imagery and creating a public rubric and pre-review process, received support from the cannabis operators association and the state auditor’s office, while small independent farmers raised concerns that some categorical bans could sweep too broadly. The transcript cuts off during that bill’s opposition testimony, and no final action on AB 2249 is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Father, we also pray for their protection—physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
• It also. protects against the capture of biometric identifiers without consent.
• House Bill 149 aims to protect individual rights and privacy while balancing and encouraging the safe
• We talk a lot about how we can help the students of Texas, how we can protect them.
• Last night, we talked late into the evening about protecting victims.

Bills: SB203 , SB317 , SB731 , SB801 , SB823 , SB867 , SB1232 , SB1380 , SB1798 , SB2082 , SB2603 , SB2607 , SB2717 , SB2797 , SB2841 , SB2919 , SB3074 , HB2 , HB6 , HB18 , HB43 , HB47 , HB 120 , HB143 , HB149 , HB171 , HB180 , HB285 , HB305 , HB449 , HB647 , HB742 , HB748 , HB908 , HB 1024 , HB 1240 , HB 1306 , HB1397 , HB1443 , HB1445 , HB1533 , HB1866 , HB1902 , HB2001 , HB2011 , HB2026 , HB2282 , HB2355 , HB2402 , HB2434 , HB2440 , HB2492 , HB2516 , HB2518 , HB2560 , HB2674 , HB2688 , HB2697 , HB2712 , HB2713 , HB2715 , HB3153 , HB3161 , HB3421 , HB3424 , HB3464 , HB3486 , HB3510 , HB3627 , HB3966 , HB3986 , HB4042 , HB4044 , HB4076 , HB4263 , HB4384 , HB4396 , HB4413 , HB4426 , HB4429 , HB4945 , HB4996 , HB5033 , HB5246 , HB5436 , HB5515 , HB5667 , SJR5 , SB3 , SB4 , SB9 , SB20 , SB21 , SB23 , SB27 , SB33 , SB34 , SB40 , SB75 , SB213 , SB269 , SB379 , SB458 , SB528 , SB647 , SB648 , SB650 , SB681 , SB740 , SB840 , SB843 , SB924 , SB1061 , SB1120 , SB1121 , SB1150 , SB1188 , SB1198 , SB1202 , SB1253 , SB1318 , SB1333 , SB1405 , SB1423 , SB1535 , SB1566 , SB1574 , SB1621 , SB1709 , SB1789 , SB2037 , SB2078 , SB2268 , SB2544 , SB2570 , SB2601 , SB2778 , SB1 , SB17 , SB260 , SB509 , SB1506 , SB1637 , SB1833 , SB2155 , SB2308 , HB2525 , SJR36 , SJR50 , SJR63 , SCR12 , SCR39 , SB2023 , SB62 , SB666 , SB847 , SB284 , SB854 , SB810 , SB1505 , SB583 , SB507 , SB1434 , SB1772 , SB2016 , SB1122 , SB731 , SB397 , SB508 , SB1436 , SB287 , SB1882 , SB393 , SB1791 , SB209 , SB2429 , SB1085 , SB1975 , SB2717 , SB1262 , SB636 , SB2056 , SB884 , SB1200 , SB1845 , SB2458 , SB801 , SB3014 , SB3013 , SB758 , SB2797 , SB2076 , SB2876 , SB1640 , SB1449 , SB1181 , SB1234 , SB2926 , SB2841 , SB1528 , SB1854 , SB317 , SB1250 , SB2082 , SB1237 , SB2819 , SB629 , SB2608 , SB1602 , SB2009 , SB867 , SB640 , SB1698 , SB2680 , SB913 , SB1071 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1483 , SB1444 , SB1553 , SB1556 , SB1703 , SB2133 , SB2297 , SB2298 , SB2622 , SB2955 , SB2334 , SB1367 , SB2044 , SB2363 , SB2565 , SB1888 , SB3036 , SB3057 , SB3043 , SB3063 , SB3035 , SB203 , SB2688 , SB2522 , SB2459 , SB2655 , SB2251 , SB1884 , SB2928 , SB2566 , SB1749 , SB2549 , SB2553 , SB2919 , SB1944 , SB1232 , SB1798 , SB2603 , SB2607 , SB2683 , SB1319 , SB3038 , SB3045 , SB1538 , SB3071 , SB3065 , SB823 , SB3062 , SB3074 , SB1380 , HJR133 , HB2715 , HB2 , HB26 , HB388 , HB2712 , HB1633 , HB685 , HB1606 , HB1458 , HB 1240 , HB2791 , HB1397 , HB2061 , HB647 , HB4738 , HB2563 , HB 128 , HB766 , HB2259 , HB2358 , HB4384 , HB748 , HB5180 , HB3806 , HB3804 , HB3803 , HB1522 , HB3597 , HB1612 , HB4224 , HB1314 , HB 1237 , HB3126 , HB2856 , HB3114 , HB3505 , HB5652 , HB2025 , HB3395 , HB18 , HB2516 , HB2713 , HB24 , HB519 , HB609 , HB1592 , HB 120 , HB1533 , HB2421 , HB2273 , HB2464 , HB2011 , HB5084 , HB3424 , HB4396 , HB43 , HB5686 , HB2518 , HB4310 , HB180 , HB149 , HB4945 , HB2434 , HB3161 , HB3745 , HB4044 , HB5155 , HB5667 , HB4996 , HB2697 , HB2492 , HB2355 , HB2282 , HB2001 , HB1902 , HB1866 , HB1445 , HB1443 , HB 1306 , HB 1024 , HB908 , HB305 , HB285 , HB449 , HB171 , HB47 , HB3464 , HB2637 , HB4263 , HB5436 , HB4429 , HB3986 , HB3966 , HB3510 , HB2560 , HB2026 , HB2688 , HB4076 , HB5246 , HB3487 , HB3486 , HB4226 , HB216 , HB742 , HB2402 , HB143 , HB5033 , HB4413 , HB4042 , HB2440 , HB4426 , HB49 , HB4112 , HB3233 , HB2310 , HB5515 , HB3627 , HB2674 , HB322 , HB1481 , HB 126 , HB3062 , HB3421 , HB3180 , HB2530 , HB2524 , HB1916 , HB3153 , HB5650 , HB4894 , HB3120 , HB1629 , HB 103 , HB3234 , HB3680 , HB5698 , HB3171 , HB5693 , HB2694 , HB5664 , HB3732 , HB2508 , HB2293 , HB1991 , HB2014 , HB5331 , HB5247 , HB4751 , HB4690 , HB4668 , HB4464 , HB4395 , HB4063 , HB3833 , HB3623 , HB3214 , HB3512 , HB3250 , HB3016 , HB2520 , HB2221 , HB2213 , HB3824 , HB2067 , HB1732 , HB1562 , HB700 , HB1545 , HB252 , HB146 , HB5596 , HB1851 , HB3619 , HB3071 , HB3556 , HB851 , HB4230 , HB5320 , HB5651 , HB5670 , HB5665 , HB5437 , HB5679 , HB5699 , HB5661 , HB5662 , HB5654 , HB5672 , HB5656 , HB5149 , HB4903 , HB4743 , HB4666 , HB4377 , HB4535 , HB4129 , HB3812 , HB3801 , HB3595 , HB3057 , HB2035 , HB721 , HB35 , HB346 , HB2974 , HB2512 , HB5695 , HB5694 , HB5671 , HB5674 , HB5688 , HB1586 , HB5154 , HB2038 , HB163 , HB413 , HB3463 , HB3185 , HB2761 , HB2593 , HB2348 , HB2073 , HB1828 , HB1422 , HB75 , HB1871 , HB 108 , HB2306 , HB2017 , HB 1135 , HB144 , HB3689 , HB5308 , HB 101 , HB2193 , HB5666 , HB5677 , HB5682 , HB5680 , HB5658 , HB5696 , HB4144 , HB3159 , HB3254 , HB3866 , HB3010 , HB4520 , HB3642 , HB3928 , HB3815 , HB2686 , HB2012 , HB1960 , HB227 , HB654 , HB1690 , HB2128 , HB4158 , HB4530 , HB4630 , HB5659 , HB1523 , HB2078 , HB2427 , HB145 , HB1973 , HB3333 , HB3697 , HB3546 , HB3225 , HB3181 , HB3133 , HB3053 , HB2885 , HB2820 , HB2294 , HB2253 , HB1661 , HB1506 , HB 1234 , HB640 , HB621 , HB551 , HB521 , HB493 , HB272 , HB229 , HB223 , HB201 , HB186 , HB 119 , HB2080 , HB2818 , HB5394 , HB4795 , HB4466 , HB4454 , HB3940 , HB3749 , HB3151 , HB3284 , HB1403 , HB 1106 , HB2844 , HB2851 , HB1500 , HCR141 , HCR118 , HCR127 , HCR40 , HCR59 , HCR10 , HCR135 , HCR142 , HCR9 , HCR76 , HCR108 , SB823 , SB1380 , SB3074 , HB47 , HB143 , HB149 , HB171 , HB285 , HB305 , HB449 , HB742 , HB908 , HB 1024 , HB 1240 , HB1397 , HB1443 , HB1533 , HB1866 , HB1902 , HB2001 , HB2011 , HB2355 , HB2402 , HB2434 , HB2440 , HB2492 , HB2560 , HB2688 , HB2697 , HB2712 , HB3153 , HB3161 , HB3421 , HB3424 , HB3464 , HB3486 , HB3510 , HB3986 , HB4042 , HB4076 , HB4263 , HB4413 , HB4426 , HB4429 , HB4945 , HB4996 , HB5246 , HB5515 , HB2 , HB2282 , HB3627 , HB5033 , SR560 , SR561 , HB1904 , HB2240 , HB3686 , HB3793 , HB4202 , HB1904 , HB2240 , HB3686 , HB3793 , HB4202

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas has a duty and a responsibility to strengthen protections for public servants by raising penalties
• And we need to protect them when they're out there. And I am very much in support of this bill.
• The concern that we have is that the substitute could create a protection, a liability protection for
• The concern that we have is that the substitute could create a protection, a liability protection for
• And so, with liability protection... ...subpoenas and warrants.

Bills: SB127 , SB456 , SB482 , SB659 , SB739 , SB816 , SB1234 , SB1666 , SB1886 , SB1980 , SB2580 , SB2611 , SB2693 , SB2776

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Summary: The committee heard and laid out a series of criminal justice bills, with public and invited testimony on restitution, juvenile justice, child abuse reporting, public-safety protections, organ trafficking, property fraud, disaster-response worker protections, fentanyl exposure, emergency data disclosure, insurance-fraud investigations, blood warrant execution, human smuggling, and TJJD advocacy access. Several measures drew support from prosecutors, clerks, law enforcement, utility companies, and victims who described real-world harms and delays in current law; opposition or caution came from civil-rights and advocacy groups on bills involving expanded criminal liability, data disclosure, and juvenile-facility access. Most bills were left pending after testimony, with the committee later voting out SB 127 favorably and placing it on the local and uncontested calendar. SB 1666 would streamline restitution payments for parole or mandatory supervision cases by requiring TDCJ to include victim information when forwarding payments, shortening the period before unclaimed funds go to the Crime Victims’ Compensation Fund, and clarifying confidentiality and contact procedures; county clerks supported it as an efficiency measure. SB 2776 would let TJJD disclose certain information, with written consent, to support the Credible Messengers Program, and SB 127 would extend limitations periods for failure-to-report child abuse and concealment offenses, with testimony emphasizing delayed discovery of abuse and the need for accountability. SB 1980 would increase penalties for assaulting or interfering with peace officers, parole officers, and community supervision officers, and SB 456 would raise penalties for organ purchasing/trafficking and create a more specific criminal framework for the offense; both drew strong support from law enforcement and victims. The committee also heard SB 2611 on real property theft and deed fraud, which would create separate offenses for real property theft and fraud, add a ten-year limitations period, require criminal judgments to be filed in county property records, and expand restitution and title-clearing remedies. Witnesses described forged deeds, stolen church and family properties, and long, costly efforts to restore title; county clerks and prosecutors said the bill would help victims and streamline civil remedies. SB 482 would increase penalties for offenses against utility workers during declared disasters or evacuation orders, prompted by reports of threats and assaults during Hurricane Beryl; utility representatives said the bill is needed to keep mutual-aid crews coming to Texas. SB 1234 would add fentanyl to the endangerment statute for vulnerable people, while SB 816 would allow providers to disclose electronic data in immediate life-threatening situations; both drew support from prosecutors and criticism from civil-rights advocates concerned about overbreadth and liability protections.

Transcript Highlights:

• An act to amend the insurance law and the vehicle and traffic law in relation to permitting an insurer

Committee: Senate Insurance

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Insurance held its first meeting of the year on February 3, 2026, chaired by Senator Jamaal Bailey. The chair opened with introductions of committee members, staff, and guests from the Mount Vernon Youth Bureau’s Youth and Community Advisory Council, emphasizing the importance of bringing young people into the legislative process. Senator Pamela Helming, the ranking member, also offered opening remarks focused on affordability in insurance, especially health care premiums and property/casualty costs, and said she would be advancing a bill requiring fiscal notes for health care premium legislation. The committee then acted on five bills. Senate Print 1763A (Fernandez), concerning certain cost-sharing fees for outpatient and substance abuse treatment, was moved and referred to the Finance Committee. Senate Print 2644 (Addabbo), prohibiting retrospective denial of payment for substance use disorder treatment services, was reported to the floor without recommendation. Senate Print 3820B (Rivera), requiring health insurance coverage for anesthesia for the full duration of a medical procedure, was reported to the floor. Senate Print 4964 (Bailey), relating to excess line coverage for certain medical malpractice insurance, was reported. Senate Print 5052 (Payne), allowing insurers in certain circumstances to rescind or retroactively cancel a policy, was also reported. Throughout the meeting, members stressed that insurance affordability is a major concern for New Yorkers and that the committee would be addressing related issues during the session. The meeting concluded after the bill actions and brief closing remarks, with no recorded opposition on the measures beyond the noted without-recommendation report on Senate Print 2644.

Transcript Highlights:

• resources on both sides, with undercover personnel or undercover vehicles to be able to monitor that traffic

Bills: HB 1026 , SCR37

Committee: House S/C on International Relations

Keywords: transportation, Farm-to-Market Road, highway designation, Texas Transportation Commission, state highway system, SCR 37, Senate Concurrent Resolution, Panama Canal, Texas ports, port infrastructure, maritime trade, shipping lanes, supply chain resilience, global commerce, exports, LNG, liquefied natural gas, crude oil, refined petroleum, agriculture

Transcript Highlights:

• We can work together to protect ourselves from what the federal government is doing, from the actions
• </c> have passed bill after bill to protect have passed bill after bill to protect Minnesotans<00:03:
• We can work together to protect<00:04:19.720><c> ourselves</c><00:04:20.560><c> from</c><00:04:20.959
• </c><00:09:58.680><c> That's</c><00:09:58.880><c> something</c> protecting taxpayers.
• That's something protecting taxpayers.

Summary: Senate DFL leaders held a press conference focused on affordability, federal cuts, and end-of-session negotiations. Senators Heather Gustafson, Erin Maye Quade, Liz Boldon, Grant Hauschild, and Majority Leader Erin Murphy highlighted prior DFL accomplishments such as universal school meals, North Star Promise, paid family and medical leave, property tax relief, the child tax credit, and Social Security tax cuts, while arguing that House Republicans have not shown enough urgency on current affordability issues. A major theme was the impact of federal policy on Minnesota, especially cuts to Medicaid and SNAP, rising health care and energy costs, and cost shifts to counties and local governments. The senators said the state is spending heavily to backfill federal cuts and protect Minnesotans from higher costs, with particular concern for rural communities, hospitals, EMS, food shelves, and county property taxes. Hauschild emphasized that rural counties and seniors would bear added burdens from federal mandates, while Murphy said the Senate is trying to put money directly into people’s pockets through rental assistance, heating assistance, food support, and targeted property tax relief. The leaders also discussed a Senate Tax Committee proposal for about $100 million in direct property tax refunds, and Murphy said the Senate’s position on HCMC funding is the strongest, while also needing support for rural hospitals and providers statewide. In response to questions, she said the Senate hopes to reach a global deal before the weekend and by Sunday midnight, described the Senate’s proposals as public and already passed, and said some items, including rental relief for people affected by an ICE operation, still have support and may move in the House. No votes were taken at the event.

Transcript Highlights:

• They would provide improved operational transparency and PR compliance, and would help protect the state
• Digital cameras would provide improved operational transparency and PR compliance, and would help protect
• the traffic study Geotech borings<00:15:09.519><c> and</c><00:15:09.720><c> test</c><00:15:10.079><c
• </c> resources we are proud to protect resources we are proud to protect promote<03:53:47.439><c> and
• </c> trusts unit uh Environmental Protection trusts unit uh Environmental Protection Bureau<04:32:22.600

Summary: The committee heard a Department of Corrections capital budget presentation on HB 25, focused largely on urgent maintenance and security needs at the New Hampshire State Prison for Men and other DOC facilities. DOC officials described the governor’s proposed priorities: boiler surge and radiator tank replacements, electronic controls and camera upgrades, and replacement of HVAC units using R22 refrigerant. They also outlined additional requested projects totaling $15.4 million, including a body alarm/man-down system at Northern New Hampshire Correctional Facility, steam line and trap repairs, fire alarm replacements, and removal of an underground diesel tank in favor of above-ground storage. DOC testified that many systems are well beyond their expected service life, including 40-year-old boilers, outdated analog cameras, and HVAC equipment using discontinued R22 refrigerant. They said the men’s prison is relying on a leased temporary boiler, has significant steam leaks causing major water loss and reduced boiler efficiency, and is dealing with frequent fire alarm faults and deteriorating wiring. On the body alarm system, they said the vendor no longer supports the equipment and replacement parts are no longer available. On the diesel tank, members questioned whether it could be abandoned in place or whether fuel could be reused; DOC said it had not explored all alternatives and would follow up, while noting the tank is underground and tied into the warehouse system. Members also asked whether some current investments could be reused in the planned new men’s prison. DOC said some items, such as air handlers, might potentially be moved, but most projects are needed to keep the current facility operational and would not be practical to transfer. Questions were also raised about the leased boiler arrangement, the use of the man-down system by staff and visitors, and whether the kitchen project could be converted to a modular unit. DOC said the modular kitchen approach is necessary because the existing kitchen cannot remain fully operational during repairs. The committee then moved to lapse extensions, and DOC identified several projects no longer needing extensions, including items numbered 64, 65, and 66 in HB 25, with the chair noting those balances would be deleted and that the lapse amount was $550,500.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:33.680><c> the</c><00:14:33.880><c> data</c> protect the data protect the data um<00:14:36.480
• </c> prominent in being helpless to protect prominent in being helpless to protect those<01:27:30.199
• </c> violations of orders or protection violations of orders or protection harassment<01:40:29.880><c
• </c> law enforcement Child Protection law enforcement Child Protection investigators<02:27:47.160><c>
• and fostering government transparency. procedures to ensure protected procedures to ensure protected

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• but you know we just couldn't get a word in edgewise for some of the important but not emergency traffic
• > of the important but not emergency of the important but not emergency mergency<00:34:49.839><c> traffic
• that we needed to get mergency traffic that we needed to get through<00:34:51.760><c> and</c><00:34:
• Front license plates are very heavily relied upon regarding traffic enforcement efforts, which are so
• </c> relied upon um regarding traffic relied upon um regarding traffic enforcement<01:35:58.719><c> efforts

Committee: House Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• will spend every penny they have to protect their child. ...every penny they have to protect their child
• We want to protect citizens. And I absolutely am honored to run this bill.
• But that's First Amendment protected, so my bill doesn't do that.
• So more people who got a traffic ticket are being arrested.
• Because at this point, the federal government is not going to protect us.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill serves to protect highs.
• </c> reasonable, fair proposal which protects reasonable, fair proposal which protects everyone's<01:
• </c><03:26:10.720><c> our</c> responsible oversight that protects our responsible oversight that protects
• It protects knowledge that are false.
• </c><04:21:42.479><c> to</c> that the bill will drive traffic to that the bill will drive traffic to

Transcript Highlights:

• will spend every penny they have to protect their child. ...every penny they have to protect their child
• I continue to have some serious concerns around due process protections.
• But that's First Amendment protected, so my bill doesn't do that.
• So more people who got a traffic ticket are being arrested. ...doubled.
• Because at this point, the federal government is not going to protect us.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the journal and received House messages and first-read bills. The chamber moved through multiple Committee of the Whole calendars, considering a range of measures on solar energy, public safety, insurance, health care, agriculture, gaming, education, child welfare, and real property. Several bills were retained on calendar, while many others were advanced with committee amendments and floor amendments. On Calendar 2, SB 1419 on solar energy inspection contractors drew the most debate. A floor amendment by Sen. Sundareshan sought to require utilities to protect ratepayers from costs associated with large energy users such as data centers; supporters argued it would help keep electricity affordable, while opponents called it a hostile amendment. After a division vote, the amendment failed 12-15, and SB 1419 was reported do pass as amended. SB 1498 (DPS appropriation) and SB 1502 (unlawful flight/reckless endangerment) also advanced. The Committee of the Whole report was adopted, but a later attempt to add the failed Sundareshan amendment to the report on SB 1419 was defeated 13-14. On Calendar 1, the Senate advanced SB 1165, SB 1206, SB 1212, SB 1215, SB 1290, SB 1291, and SB 1347, mostly with committee amendments. SB 1178 on naturopathic physicians and prescription drug pricing saw a contested Sears floor amendment aimed at stopping price gouging on essential generic drugs; supporters said it would lower drug costs, while the sponsor objected that it was not germane. The amendment failed, and the bill passed as amended. SB 1186 on document retention and donations also drew a Sundareshan amendment on transparency and implementation; it failed, and the bill passed as amended. SB 1286 on veterinary visits and electronic prescriptions advanced after a proposed Kavanagh floor amendment was defeated on division. The Senate then adopted the Committee of the Whole reports and moved on to additional calendars. On Calendar 4, the chamber passed SB 1004 on ESA students and interscholastic activities, SB 1116 on AHCCCS access/behavioral health, SB 1162 on health care institution licensing complaints, SB 1179 on developmental disability/health monitoring, SB 1475 on school district governing boards and eligibility, SB 1821 on DCS training and child placement, and SCR 1012. A request to hold SB 1475 for a reinstatement process was rejected. The Senate also took up an additional Committee of the Whole for SB 1077, SB 1479, and SB 1566; SB 1077 advanced with a Payne floor amendment, SB 1479 advanced with a Carroll amendment classifying certain forged real-property recordings as a class five felony, and SB 1566 began consideration with a Petersen amendment to remove part of a prior amendment. Throughout, the chamber repeatedly adopted committee reports and advanced the bills for further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• We added privacy concerns and Environmental Protection to be part of the discussion.
• We added privacy concerns and Environmental Protection to be part of the discussion.
• ><c> monitoring</c> and plans for monitoring and plans for monitoring management<01:08:41.040><c> traffic
• </c><01:08:41.560><c> control</c><01:08:42.560><c> and</c><01:08:42.759><c> Public</c> management traffic
• control and Public management traffic control and Public Safety Safety Safety enforcement<01:08:45.839

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 167, a PFAS-related measure expanding the state’s restrictions to include ski wax and related fluorocarbons. The sponsor said the bill was a follow-up to last year’s PFAS law and largely targeted products already off the market, describing it as a reaffirmation of the state’s intent to keep PFAS out of water. The committee voted unanimously to recommend the bill ought to pass and then placed it on the consent calendar. Next, the committee considered House Bill 275 on health career credentialing requirements. The discussion centered on a proposal that would have required insurance companies to pay for training mandated by federal requirements. Members concluded that approach was not appropriate and voted unanimously to make the bill inexpedient to legislate, then placed it on the consent calendar. House Bill 276, dealing with on-premise beverage license requirements, was then reconsidered after an initial ITL vote. The committee adopted an amendment creating a tavern license for establishments limited to patrons over 21, with a higher fee and no food requirement, and then voted 15-0 to recommend the bill ought to pass as amended; it was also placed on the consent calendar. The committee then took up House Bill 310, which would establish a commission to study a regulatory framework for stable tokens and tokenization of real-world assets. The sponsor said the amendment added blockchain-based trusts and discussion of privacy and environmental concerns. The committee approved the amendment 16-0 and then voted 16-0 to recommend the bill ought to pass as amended, placing it on the consent calendar. House Bill 312, concerning intercollegiate student athletes’ right to earn compensation from name, image, and likeness, was retained because members said the issue was not ready and the NCAA had not resolved how to handle it. Finally, the committee began discussion of House Bill 316 on ground ambulance reimbursement, with an amendment that would replace the bill’s reimbursement provisions with a study commission; members debated how it related to another bill, HB 725, and whether the amendment would delay immediate relief for ambulance providers.

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation represents a commitment to protecting women.
• And this is something that we're trying to protect. I get the due process.
• Because AB528 infringes on these protections, I urge a no vote. Thank you.
• You know, when it comes down to it, we need to protect our children.
• We need to protect our victims.

Summary: The committee heard several public safety and criminal justice bills. AB 837 by Assemblymember Davies would add ketamine transportation to existing drug trafficking law; supporters, including district attorneys and peace officer groups, said it would address a growing and dangerous drug trend, while opponents argued increased penalties do not reduce drug supply and can worsen health harms. The bill was approved on a due-pass-as-amended vote and sent to Appropriations. AB 352 by Assemblymember Pacheco would make threats against judges and court commissioners an aggravating factor in sentencing; judicial and law enforcement groups supported it as a response to rising threats, while ACLU and criminal justice advocates said existing law already covers threats and the bill is unnecessary. It also passed to Appropriations. The committee then took up AB 938 by Assemblymember Bonta, which expands vacatur and affirmative-defense relief for survivors of human trafficking, intimate partner violence, and sexual violence, including for some violent offenses. Survivors and advocates testified that the bill would allow people coerced into crimes to tell their full stories and seek relief, while district attorneys and sheriffs warned it could sweep too broadly and affect public safety. The chair and several members strongly supported the measure, and it passed as amended to Appropriations. AB 475 by Assemblymember Wilson would make prison work assignments voluntary and is tied to a broader effort to remove involuntary servitude language from the state constitution; supporters framed it as a rehabilitation and dignity issue, while one member objected to the premise and cited the defeat of a related ballot measure. The bill was voted out to Appropriations but left on call pending additional votes. Assemblymember Lowenthal presented AB 704, which would allow people convicted of low-level offenses before age 26 to petition to seal and destroy records after a waiting period. Supporters said the bill addresses the limits of expungement in the digital age and recognizes young adult brain development; prosecutors and police groups raised Brady/disclosure concerns and objected to treating 18- to 25-year-olds like children. The committee debated those issues at length before sending the bill to Appropriations. Lowenthal also presented AB 812, which would expand resentencing opportunities for incarcerated firefighters who serve on conservation fire crews; supporters emphasized rehabilitation, wildfire response, and reduced recidivism, and the hearing continued with support testimony and the start of opposition testimony as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's in vehicle traffic. Move by Senator Popov.

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The transcript appears to be a committee vote session on many bills across a range of subject areas, including media rules, highway law, education, health, social services, business, insurance, real property, arts and culture, banking, navigation, and vehicle traffic. For each item, a senator moved the bill, another seconded it, and the chair repeatedly announced that the motion carried, with bills being reported out of committee. The transcript is heavily garbled, so many bill titles and bill numbers are unclear, but the overall pattern is consistent: sequential consideration and reporting of numerous measures. Most items were approved without recorded opposition, though the transcript occasionally notes “all in favor” or “all in favor, opposed,” suggesting routine voice votes or unanimous consent. A few specific references are legible, such as the highway law, education law, health law, insurance law, social services law, business law, and arts and cultural affairs law, indicating the committee was processing amendments or related bills in those areas. The session also includes repeated references to particular sponsors or bill numbers, but the text is too distorted to reliably identify them all. No substantive debate, testimony, or amendments are clearly described in the transcript. The main action was procedural: motions, seconds, and repeated announcements that bills were reported out. The meeting ends with additional garbled references to later bills, again suggesting continued routine reporting of measures rather than extended discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Executive Law, the Judiciary Law, the Social Services Law, the General Obligations Law, the Vehicle and Traffic

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met on March 18 for its third meeting of the year and considered a series of bills, mostly reporting them to the floor. Early measures included a bill by Senator Gernardis on releasing certain claims by employees, a bill by Senator Brooke barring people convicted of elder abuse from inheriting from the elder’s estate, and a bill by Senator Mayer requiring the Chief Administrator to report court data, including information on town and village courts. Members also advanced a bill on notice requirements for self-storage lien enforcement and a bill by Senator Sepulveda concerning mercantile establishments and collections after a finding of not guilty in a larceny case. The elder-abuse inheritance bill drew supportive comments, with one member noting a related gap in the law involving parental abandonment and inheritance rights. The most extended discussion centered on the mercantile-establishment bill, where some members raised concerns that a criminal acquittal or dismissal on technical grounds could unfairly limit a business’s ability to pursue civil recovery, while supporters argued that a not-guilty finding should prevent further collection efforts tied to the alleged crime. After debate, the bill was moved and reported to the floor, with at least one member voting no or without recommendation. The committee also advanced a bill on judicial staffing levels, with no substantive discussion noted. Later, the committee approved a bill prohibiting undisclosed reporting of mediation and court-annexed alternative dispute resolution proceedings, and a broad bill by Senator Sepúlveda replacing references to paternity and affiliation with parentage across multiple laws. Most measures were reported to the floor, and one bill on court data reporting was sent to finance. The meeting concluded with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• members of the city police force eligibility for retirement and pension based on previous service as traffic

Committee: Senate Civil Service And Pensions

Summary: The State Senate Civil Service and Pensions Committee met on February 10, 2026, with a quorum present and several members attending in person or by voting sheet. Chair Robert Jackson opened the meeting, welcomed a new committee member and visiting members of the Uzbekistan parliament, and noted that the committee would consider 11 bills. The discussion was procedural and focused on moving each bill through committee. The committee advanced a series of civil service, retirement, and benefits measures, including bills on compensation for employees with foreign language skills, health insurance and dental coverage for state employees, mental health care access for emergency dispatchers and correction officers, and several retirement-related proposals affecting correction officers, sheriffs, Nassau County members, and service credit transfers. Jackson also advanced his own bills on health disease presumptions for certain law enforcement and correction titles, retirement benefits, accidental disability retirement for sheriffs, and eligibility for city police retirement based on prior traffic enforcement service. Each bill was moved, seconded, and approved unanimously, with reported votes of 7 ayes, 0 nays, and 0 abstentions/without recommendation. All 11 bills were ordered reported to the Finance Committee. The meeting concluded without further discussion or additional actions.

Transcript Highlights:

• It’s about protecting families, strengthening communities, and ensuring our justice... ...it’s about
• protecting families, strengthening communities, and ensuring our justice system is staffed by people
• We look forward to working with you to pass a version of a Kratom Consumer Protection Act legislation
• So I can... ...here on behalf has worked with to adopt consumer protection acts on this.
• And this bill will require that safeguard to better protect workers, employers, and taxpayers.

Bills: SB6196 , SB6204 , SB6195 , SB5882 , SB6134

Committee: Senate Labor & Commerce

Keywords: kratom, taxation, regulated substances, health safety, state revenue, cannabis, marijuana, home grow, home cultivation, personal cultivation, adult use cannabis, recreational marijuana, 21 and older, controlled substances, RCW 69.50, Liquor and Cannabis Board, LCB, plant limits, cannabis possession, cannabis concentrates

Transcript Highlights:

• Constitutional concerns as a conflict with the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
• LEADERS WHO ARE ON THE FRONT LINES PROTECTING COMMUNITIES FROM CRIMINAL ILLEGAL ALIENS.
• You talk about a drug trafficker; there are Americans who drug traffic.
• THEIR ASKING CAREER PUBLIC SERVANT ENFORCEMENT AND PROTECTION IN EACH ONE OF US.
• This program will also support inspection activities to protect our borders.

Bills: SJR2 , SB4 , SJR36 , SJR2 , SB4 , SJR1 , SJR5 , SB9 , SB40 , SJR2 , SB4 , SR98 , SJR40 , SJR41 , SJR42 , SJR43 , SJR44 , SJR45 , SJR46 , SJR47 , SCR13 , SB6 , SB13 , SB21 , SB826 , SB827 , SB828 , SB829 , SB830 , SB831 , SB832 , SB833 , SB834 , SB835 , SB836 , SB837 , SB838 , SB839 , SB840 , SB841 , SB842 , SB843 , SB844 , SB845 , SB846 , SB847 , SB848 , SB849 , SB850 , SB851 , SB853 , SB854 , SB855 , SB856 , SB857 , SB858 , SB859 , SB860 , SB861 , SB862 , SB863 , SB864 , SB865 , SB866 , SB867 , SB868 , SB869 , SB870 , SB871 , SB872 , SB873 , SB874 , SB875 , SB876 , SB877 , SB878 , SB879 , SB880 , SB881 , SB882 , SB883 , SB884 , SB885 , SB886 , SB887 , SB888 , SB889 , SB890 , SB891 , SB892 , SB893 , SB894 , SB895 , SB896 , SB897 , SB898 , SB899 , SB900 , SB901 , SB902 , SB903 , SB904 , SB905 , SB906 , SB907 , SB908 , SB909 , SB910 , SB911 , SB912 , SB913 , SB914 , SB915 , SB916 , SB917 , SB918 , SB919 , SB920 , SB921 , SB922 , SB923 , SB924 , SB925 , SB926 , SB927 , SB928 , SB929 , SB930 , SB931 , SB932 , SB933 , SB934 , SB935 , SB936 , SB937 , SB938 , SB939 , SB940 , SB941 , SB942 , SB943 , SB944 , SB945 , SB946 , SB947 , SB948 , SB949 , SB950 , SB951 , SB952 , SB953 , SB954 , SB955 , SB956 , SB957 , SB958 , SB959 , SB960 , SB961 , SB962 , SB963 , SB964 , SB965 , SB966 , SB967 , SB968 , SB969 , SB970 , SB971 , SB972 , SB973 , SB974 , SB975 , SB976 , SB977 , SB978 , SB979 , SB980 , SB981 , SB982 , SB983 , SB984 , SB985 , SB986 , SB987 , SB988 , SB989 , SB990 , SB991 , SB992 , SB993 , SB994 , SB995 , SB996 , SB997 , SB998 , SB999 , SB1000 , SJR40 , SJR41 , SJR42 , SJR43 , SJR44 , SJR45 , SJR46 , SJR47 , SCR13 , SB6 , SB13 , SB21 , SB826 , SB827 , SB828 , SB829 , SB830 , SB831 , SB832 , SB833 , SB834 , SB835 , SB836 , SB837 , SB838 , SB839 , SB840 , SB841 , SB842 , SB843 , SB844 , SB845 , SB846 , SB847 , SB848 , SB849 , SB850 , SB851 , SB853 , SB854 , SB855 , SB856 , SB857 , SB858 , SB859 , SB860 , SB861 , SB862 , SB863 , SB864 , SB865 , SB866 , SB867 , SB868 , SB869 , SB870 , SB871 , SB872 , SB873 , SB874 , SB875 , SB876 , SB877 , SB878 , SB879 , SB880 , SB881 , SB882 , SB883 , SB884 , SB885 , SB886 , SB887 , SB888 , SB889 , SB890 , SB891 , SB892 , SB893 , SB894 , SB895 , SB896 , SB897 , SB898 , SB899 , SB900 , SB901 , SB902 , SB903 , SB904 , SB905 , SB906 , SB907 , SB908 , SB909 , SB910 , SB911 , SB912 , SB913 , SB914 , SB915 , SB916 , SB917 , SB918 , SB919 , SB920 , SB921 , SB922 , SB923 , SB924 , SB925 , SB926 , SB927 , SB928 , SB929 , SB930 , SB931 , SB932 , SB933 , SB934 , SB935 , SB936 , SB937 , SB938 , SB939 , SB940 , SB941 , SB942 , SB943 , SB944 , SB945 , SB946 , SB947 , SB948 , SB949 , SB950 , SB951 , SB952 , SB953 , SB954 , SB955 , SB956 , SB957 , SB958 , SB959 , SB960 , SB961 , SB962 , SB963 , SB964 , SB965 , SB966 , SB967 , SB968 , SB969 , SB970 , SB971 , SB972 , SB973 , SB974 , SB975 , SB976 , SB977 , SB978 , SB979 , SB980 , SB981 , SB982 , SB983 , SB984 , SB985 , SB986 , SB987 , SB988 , SB989 , SB990 , SB991 , SB992 , SB993 , SB994 , SB995 , SB996 , SB997 , SB998 , SB999 , SB1000

Transcript Highlights:

• things to incent, and right now we're really having kind of a myopic conversation about, you know, protecting
• And right now we're really having kind of a myopic conversation about, you know, protecting our institutions
• would ask them to ask you to forward them to the chair before the next meeting, just so I can direct traffic
• They'll all be forwarded as we work on it, but just to direct traffic so we keep things going forward

Summary: The Higher Education Funding Committee met to discuss possible changes to North Dakota’s higher education funding formula, with a particular focus on separating the UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences MD program from the general formula. Dr. Jenkins outlined several options for the MD program, including a fixed-funding model, a hybrid model, or keeping it in the formula, and emphasized the need to preserve strong support for medical education while making future funding clearer. He also discussed efforts to increase the share of North Dakota students in the MD program through ND85, expanded recruiting, early acceptance pathways, MCAT prep, a four-plus-one program, and the Primary Care Accelerated Track, along with future cost pressures such as AI licensing and residency growth. The committee then reviewed a simplified funding model from the University System Office that would base funding more heavily on student FTE, credentials awarded, and a few incentive factors such as small institution and research adjustments. Members questioned the use of placeholder numbers, the lack of a clear methodology for the small institution and research factors, and whether the model would adequately account for differences among institutions, high-cost programs, and graduate education. Several members raised concerns that arbitrary factors would be hard to defend politically and could distort funding or create competition between schools, while others said the exercise was useful as a starting point for discussion. Alex presented a second alternative that kept the current SIP-code structure but increased CTE weighting, added a progressive economic size factor, and separated out the MD program. His model also added an on-campus face-to-face headcount component and a credentials component, with the intent of rewarding in-person enrollment and completions. Members questioned the use of headcount instead of FTE, how hybrid, online, dual-credit, and off-campus students would be treated, and why face-to-face enrollment was weighted more heavily than completion. No formal votes or final actions were taken; the committee instead continued discussion and asked members to provide direction on which elements, if any, should be developed further.