Transcript Highlights:

• The adult sites already have this technology. They're just not required by law to use it.
• There's a technology called fingerprint-stamp technology.
• And then they implement it in their system that has this technology.
• So that's how this technology works. That's the fingerprint-stamp technology system. I get that.
• So that's the fingerprint-stamp technology system.

Summary: The committee heard several bills, beginning with AB 1521, the Judiciary Committee’s civil law omnibus measure. The bill makes a number of minor, mostly clarifying changes, including repealing obsolete Government Code provisions, allowing juvenile courts to hear petitions to establish records of birth, death, or marriage, requiring notice of probate petitions to the Department of Child Support Services, and correcting typos in existing law. It had no opposition and was moved on a do-pass basis to Appropriations, though it was later placed on call pending additional votes. Members then heard AB 57, which would reserve at least 10% of California’s Home Purchase Assistance Program funds for descendants of formerly enslaved people. The author and supporters framed it as a reparative, race-neutral-by-lineage effort to address historic housing discrimination and the racial wealth gap, while opponents argued it was an unconstitutional racial proxy and should instead be based on individual injury. The bill drew strong support and opposition testimony, was amended, and was approved on a do-pass as amended vote to Appropriations, then placed on call. AB 495, the Family Preparedness Plan Act, was heard next. The bill would expand and standardize caregiving and guardianship tools for families facing immigration-related separation, including broader use of caregiver authorization affidavits, recognition of non-relative extended family caregivers, and a new short-term guardianship process that preserves parental rights. Supporters said it would reduce trauma and help children remain with trusted caregivers; there was no opposition testimony. The committee approved it on a do-pass to Human Services vote and placed it on call. The committee also heard AB 392, which would address non-consensual sharing of sexually explicit media by requiring uploader consent certifications, faster takedown procedures, and civil remedies against uploaders and hosting sites. A survivor testified in support, and members discussed implementation details and possible amendments; the bill was moved on a do-pass as amended basis to Appropriations and placed on call. AB 692, which would prohibit employer “stay-or-pay” debt agreements that require workers to repay training or other costs if they leave or are terminated, also advanced despite opposition from business and industry groups concerned about impacts on signing bonuses and voluntary training programs. It was sent to Appropriations on a do-pass as amended vote and placed on call, along with AB 1234, a wage-claim enforcement bill aimed at reducing Labor Commissioner delays and adding consequences for employers who fail to participate in the process. The committee also heard AB 394, which expands protections for transit workers and allows transit agencies to seek restraining orders against violent riders; it received broad support, some concern about system-wide bans, and was discussed with amendments that preserved judicial discretion.

Transcript Highlights:

• The response was that not all bargaining unit employees are eligible to participate in Secure Choice.
• Choice option because Secure Choice has employer contributions, whereas Secure Choice requires employee
• Mr. in Secure Choice. Senator, correct?
• contribution plan over the secure contribution plan over the secure choices<01:15:22.719> option
• choices is my understanding for secure choices is my understanding and<01:15:47.520> they<01:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that as technology has advanced, we're able to take full advantage of any part of our system
• I think that as technology has advanced, we're able to take full advantage of any part of our system
• I think one thing that's sort of important to me is safety and security.
• Robert Albright: One thing that's sort of important to me is safety and security.
• <01:15:23.159> strategic purchases and secure strategic purchases and secure strategic Partnerships

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The forum focused on the University of Minnesota system’s future, with candidates largely agreeing that the five campuses should remain distinct while working more closely together. Speakers emphasized the land-grant mission, the importance of serving Greater Minnesota, and the need for each campus to have a clear value proposition tied to local communities. Several suggested stronger cross-campus partnerships, more use of technology, and more seamless student pathways between campuses, while also noting enrollment declines and the need to preserve campus identities. A second major topic was public trust in higher education and the perceived value of a college degree. Candidates pointed to rising tuition, student debt, and concerns about post-graduation job prospects as key challenges. Proposed responses included better storytelling about university outcomes, stronger partnerships with schools, legislators, and communities, more targeted fundraising and commercialization of research, and clearer evidence of return on investment for students and families. The discussion then turned to athletics, where most candidates described sports as the university’s “front door” but said academics must remain the priority. They raised NIL, revenue sharing, and the need to keep athletics funding separate from core university funding, while also recognizing athletics’ role in campus culture and student recruitment. In later questions, candidates discussed why they sought regent service and how to support diversity, equity, and inclusion, with responses stressing access, belonging, open debate, and meeting students where they are. No formal votes or actions were taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• and national security.
• So, you know, that's big money, and it's part of the national security that we provide through the Air
• They have Homeland Security. They have Civil Air Patrol, and they have the National Guard.
• For the watch center, there is a 24-7, 365 operation down with Homeland Security.
• With the Homeland Security Division, and then we're also repurposing one of our security forces positions

Bills: HB1603

Keywords: Native American, grave protection, repatriation, cultural heritage, tribal compliance, 908, all

Summary: The Appropriations Committee met with a quorum and announced it would begin meeting at 8 a.m. for the rest of the week to work through a growing bill list. The committee first approved House Bill 1603, a companion to the Historical Society budget dealing with NAGPRA, including a $500,000 matching grant to be divided among North Dakota’s five tribes and a committee to address repatriation of human remains and cultural items. The vote was unanimous, 15-0. The committee then considered House Bill 1225, which would increase penalties for reckless endangerment involving a firearm and create a mandatory prison term. After debate over public safety concerns versus the bill’s fiscal note and prison costs, the committee adopted a do not pass recommendation by a 9-6-1 vote. Members also discussed House Bill 1018, the State Historical Society budget, and approved an amendment that adjusted one-time funding items, including NAGPRA compliance, museum exhibits, military gallery funding, local historic grants, and line-of-credit repayment. The amended bill then received a due pass recommendation by a 14-2 vote. The committee next approved House Bill 1468, a behavioral health facility grant for St. Hayes, which supporters said would expand in-state access to acute and adolescent behavioral health care and reduce the need to send patients out of state. The bill passed 14-1. It then amended and passed House Bill 1485, increasing the personal needs allowance for certain Medicaid recipients by $15 and indexing it to inflation; the amendment and the bill as amended both passed 14-2. Finally, the committee approved House Bill 1016, the Adjutant General/National Guard budget, after adopting an amendment that funded disaster relief, response equipment, IT and website costs, and staffing changes for the watch center; the amended bill passed 14-2. The committee adjourned after completing six bills and planned to resume the next morning at 8 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• conversations around some of the other federal funds across other agencies, um, Education is, is pretty secure
• from specific special education supports to how we get to high-quality teachers, to systems of technology
• A system of technology must be created that provides all at-risk students and their teachers access to
• inequities around technology being available to students and so the September 2024 motion follows um
• that request for technology.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're a national not-for-profit health technology and research organization.
• We're a national not-for-profit health technology and research organization.
• that OCHIN supports, is... ...which was actually about a different technology that OCHIN supports, is
• We are just the technology partner that would support the health care providers in the network that would
• The technology company is headquartered in Oregon.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee met on March 25, 2025, with Chair Mia Bonta presiding and initially operating as a subcommittee until quorum was established. The committee heard several health-related bills, including AB 73 on creating a Black Mental Health Navigator certification, AB 499 on lowering the state reimbursement trigger for the Robert F. Kennedy Farm Workers Medical Plan, AB 843 on aligning California health insurance language-access rules with federal standards, AB 257 on a specialty care network using telehealth and virtual services for Medi-Cal and underserved communities, AB 64 on allowing diacritical marks on vital records, AB 315 on the Home and Community-Based Alternatives waiver, and AB 40 on clarifying that emergency services include reproductive health services such as abortion. Testimony generally emphasized disparities in access, culturally competent care, language access, rural provider shortages, and the importance of preserving or expanding programs that help vulnerable populations. Supporters included authors, state and local health organizations, advocacy groups, and affected individuals. AB 73 was backed as a way to address stigma, mistrust, and culturally competent mental health access for Black Californians. AB 499 was described as helping keep a self-insured farmworker health plan operational while maintaining a low-cost, labor-management model. AB 843 was supported as a way to prevent children and families from having to translate sensitive medical and insurance information and to protect limited-English-proficient Californians. AB 257 drew support as a demonstration project to improve specialty care access through California-based clinicians and virtual care, with examples of reduced wait times and costs. AB 64 received emotional testimony from the author, a child and his family, and others about the importance of accurately recording names with accents and other marks. AB 315 was presented as a cost-neutral or cost-saving way to expand home- and community-based care for medically fragile people, with strong support from disability, health, and provider groups. AB 40 drew support from reproductive health and medical organizations, while one opposition witness argued it could conflict with emergency care standards and overburden emergency departments. The committee took roll-call votes and advanced AB 499, AB 73, AB 843, AB 257, AB 64, AB 315, and AB 40 to Appropriations, with AB 40 receiving some no votes. The committee also adopted its 2025-26 rules and approved a consent calendar that included AB 225, AB 304, AB 403, AB 688, and AB 951. Several measures were initially placed on call and later lifted and recorded as passing out of committee before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• like Leonardo and other aerospace companies, disaster recovery, emergency management, disruptive technology
• the space industry and the data center industry, what they call ICT, information communications technology
• will be doing there at the MRO facility, to the apron, to the taxiway, even the gate that has to be secure
• And then throw in the university, throw in all of the technology, throw in everything that you're doing
• , And then throw in the university, throw in all of the technology, throw in everything that you're doing

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and heard first from Space Florida President and CEO Robert Long, who described the agency’s role as the state’s aerospace finance and business development authority and spaceport authority. He reported a pipeline of about 187 projects, nearly $7 billion in potential private investment, and roughly 8,000 potential jobs, with 161 projects in the fiscal-year pipeline, up about 30% from the prior year. Long said Space Florida is focusing on workforce development through its Space Florida Academy with 23 school districts, and on target markets including advanced air mobility/eVTOL, flight simulation, and satellite manufacturing. Members asked about infrastructure, federal-state coordination, LNG planning, environmental mitigation, workforce, and how the Legislature’s recent $5 million recurring increase is being used; Long said the funds are mainly supporting staffing, contracted services, and IT improvements to handle growth and move projects through faster. The panel then heard from Blue Origin, Leonardo (through LSN Partners), and Lone Star Data Holdings. Blue Origin said its Florida manufacturing and launch operations have grown far beyond initial commitments, with more than $3 billion invested and over 3,000 employees in the state, and emphasized the need for roads, water, wastewater, and other launch-site infrastructure as launch cadence increases. Leonardo highlighted its TH-73A Navy helicopter program in Milton and a new 70,000-square-foot maintenance facility at Whiting Aviation Park, crediting state, local, and federal partners and noting future potential for its AW-609 tiltrotor aircraft. Lone Star Data Holdings described its satellite-based data storage and disaster-recovery business, said Florida was its first customer, and urged the state to use Florida as a pilot project for protecting data and expanding space-based data infrastructure. Members repeatedly focused on what the state should do next, and the panel’s main answer was continued investment in infrastructure and long-term planning. Specific needs mentioned included road widening, traffic signals, fire suppression, water pressure, wastewater capacity, power, transportation links, environmental mitigation, and LNG-related planning at the spaceport. No formal votes or bills were taken up in the meeting, and the session ended after member questions and comments with a motion to rise and adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• establishing a centralized crime laboratory portal to process record requests and facilitate the secure
• and counties with populations exceeding 3.3 million are authorized to independently utilize this technology
• And so the other side is, what this would do is if they have access to the technology, they also take
• now, Fort Worth PD is liable for what happens if Tarrant County Sheriff's Department uses their technology
• Additionally, a 2024 Department of Justice report found that 91% of girls in our secure facilities NTJJD

Summary: The Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence met with a quorum and heard a series of Senate bills, generally receiving sponsor explanations and, in most cases, no public testimony. SB 2595 would create a Class B misdemeanor for harassing, threatening, or intimidating someone while intentionally concealing identity with a mask, with broad affirmative defenses for legitimate mask use; SB 1980 would increase penalties for assaulting peace officers, parole officers, and community supervision officers and add related presumptions and interference protections; and SB 1896 would require magistrates to issue emergency protective orders in certain family violence, sexual assault, stalking, and aggravated cases, with law enforcement required to provide needed information. All three were left pending. The committee also heard SB 955, which increases trafficking of persons from a second-degree to a first-degree felony when the victim was recruited from a correctional facility, and SB 614, which would let the Texas Forensic Science Commission refer dismissed complaints to the Office of Capital and Forensic Writs when they reference a prior FSC report; both were left pending. Members then heard several forensic and criminal procedure bills. SB 1372 would resolve a discovery/access conflict involving the DPS crime lab portal by limiting portal access to defense attorneys rather than defendants directly, prompting questions from members about access for pro se defendants; DPS’s chief crime lab witness testified neutrally. SB 1936 would change the LSD “abuse unit” definition for unmarked/unperforated paper from a square-measurement method to a 10-milligram weight standard, and SB 1937 would require a subject matter expert from the testing lab to participate in pretrial meetings in capital cases involving biological evidence to help identify viable testing and conserve resources. SB 2580 would lower the population threshold for sheriff’s departments to independently use tracking equipment and access certain communications from 3.3 million to 500,000, expanding the authority beyond Harris County; it was described as a public safety and emergency response measure and left pending. The committee also considered SB 2798, which would extend the statute of limitations for certain financial crimes from three years to seven years, with testimony from a Montgomery County assistant district attorney supporting the change because fraud is often discovered late. SB 1099 would increase penalties for felony offenses committed by undocumented or unauthorized aliens, but drew strong opposition from the Texas Civil Rights Project, which argued immigration is a federal matter and that the bill would create difficult and potentially unfair status determinations for local courts; members raised concerns about the lack of an expert-testimony requirement. SB 1278 would create an affirmative defense to prostitution prosecution for trafficking victims compelled by their traffickers to commit the conduct, and testimony from advocates and a member’s personal account emphasized the coercive, traumatic nature of trafficking; members discussed whether the defense should be narrower or framed as mitigation, and the bill was left pending. Finally, SB 127 would extend the statute of limitations for failure to report or conceal child abuse, with members discussing mandatory reporting duties and the need to allow more time for delayed discovery of cover-ups; it too was left pending before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• the Military and Veteran Affairs Committee, and health care can sometimes be an issue of national security
• are PhDs and creating their own rocket fuels—amazing, incredible, critical work to our national security
• Also, expanding food for all, and securing coverage for all undocumented individuals as well.
• In February 2025, the district received the signed agreement, securing our place in this initiative.
• Some plans have established robust networks, while others face challenges in securing adequate provider

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Border security is an important element in this legislation.
• from General Revenue Appropriations for Border Security.
• Do you support the border security?
• Pork projects in the name of border security.
• , adding $6.5 billion to secure the border.

Bills: SB1, HB500, SB1, HB1400, HB 1094, HB365, HB 1109, HB647, HB500

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, state budget, mental health funding, education funding, infrastructure improvements, public safety, groundwater, water conservation, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, innovation fund, local conservation districts, transportation protection agreement, funeral services, insurance exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• and transportation, assist of technology and transportation, assist of technology and<00:47:08.079
• make our schools safe and secure. make our schools safe and secure.
• The data itself is stored within a secure warehouse.
• one particular secure location. one particular secure location.
• <04:42:25.440> alone ERP or cyber security alone ERP or cyber security alone transportation

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:02:14.920> And<00:02:15.040> they in education and technology.
• And they in education and technology.
• already been secured? already been secured? Um<00:53:16.040> Gregor.
• When it comes to the DNA technology, they can move about the same number of cases.
• , When it comes to the DNA technology, When it comes to the DNA technology, they<01:30:04.680>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• America's national security is dependent upon an all-volunteer military and a VA that is successful in
• Last week at a hearing of the Homeland Security Committee, I gave Russell Vogt, the nominee for...
• What you just said about seamless care is actually a safety and security issue for my veterans.
• And that means doing efficiency, looking at AI, looking at other technology, not just from the benefit
• Tempting to reduce staff and replace it with this technology, but I'm not confident in the technology

Transcript Highlights:

• we hear the expectation that government should be a partner, making life more affordable and more secure
• a menu of energy options to keep prices down, keep New Yorkers working as we transition to new technologies
• We must give a sense of security to our constituents who are living in unprecedented times of uncertainty
• WE MUST GIVE A SENSE OF SECURITY TO OUR CONSTITUENTS WHO ARE LIVING IN UNPRECEDENTED TIMES OF UNCERTAINTY

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, and briefly closed out the 2025 legislative session by adopting a concurrent resolution on adjournment. The chamber then reopened for the 2026 session with a quorum present, a prayer by Bishop Mark O’Connell, and opening remarks from the Lieutenant Governor, Minority Leader Rob Ortt, and Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. The remarks focused on the responsibilities of the new session, the need to listen to constituents, and broad priorities such as affordability, public safety, rights protections, and working across party lines. Governor Kathy Hochul’s message requesting the Senate’s presence for the 2026 State of the State address was read and filed. In their remarks, Ortt emphasized affordability, keeping more money in New Yorkers’ pockets, energy choices, and public safety, while Stewart-Cousins highlighted rising costs for housing, groceries, utilities, health care, and child care, along with defending voting rights, equal rights, and immigrant communities. Both leaders said their conferences were prepared to work with each other and with the Governor. The Senate then adopted two organizational resolutions: one appointing Senators Bynoe and Chan to inform the Governor that the Senate was organized and ready to proceed, and another appointing Senators Ryan and Wildcat to inform the Assembly that the Senate was assembled and ready to proceed. No substantive legislation was debated, and the Senate adjourned until Monday, January 12, at 3:00 p.m., with intervening days designated as legislative days.

Transcript Highlights:

• COMPANY REGISTER OR GET A GOVERNMENT CONTRACT BUT NOW IT IS MORE ABOUT HELPING BUSINESSES WITH A SECURED
• SMALL BUSINESS CONNECTED TO MAY BE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT NEED OR MAYBE A DEFENSE DEPARTMENT HAS A TECHNOLOGY
• AND YOU CAN SEE IN SECURED ABOUT 5 PERCENT OF THE CAPITAL NUMBER IN THESE COMMUNITIES WITH JUST OF 4
• RAO GOT CAPITAL SECURITY EXCEEDING 4 PERCENT OF THE POPULATION.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As energy and energy security, you know, is a topic of important conversation, one of the things is overall
• <00:06:09.160> you as as energy and energy security you as as energy and energy security you
• um specific project that technologies um specific project that Grant<00:13:53.120> atore<00:13
• to enter into contracts and secure to enter into contracts and secure Supply<00:31:43.279> at
• <00:42:42.000> and market and create security and market and create security and predictability

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One, the advisory board, although those were the end users who use the technology, they did not have
• The Department of Technology was used primarily for contracting and procurement.
• So they were able to answer 42,000 calls and texts, which helped secure short-term housing for 15,000
• This is AB 1805, Ransom, do pass to Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protections, with the
• The motion is do pass to Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection, with amendments to be

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Of our communities, that our decisions are data-driven and that we are working to leverage technology
• to drive those efficiencies, but also using the technology so that we can interface better with the
• We can use technology to do that, but...
• So the FDIC chair, Travis Hill, noted that he thinks banks adopting new technologies or innovation.
• And I would lean towards also agencies that are doing so that technologies or innovation.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have had some technology challenges since day one.
• Other challenges, technology.
• As much progress as we've made in upgrading our technology, it always feels like we're a step behind
• what the most promising technology is.
• So, I mentioned technology. That's gonna continue to be a major focus in the foreseeable future.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Kyle Griffith, on behalf of Californians for Water Security, representing a coalition of business, labor
• Sarah Ridges, on behalf of the California Manufacturers and Technology Association, in support.
• Sarah Bridges, on behalf of the California Manufacturers and Technology Association, in opposition.
• Sarah Bridges, on behalf of the California Manufacturers and Technology Association, in support.
• Sarah Bridges on behalf of the California Manufacturers and Technology Association in support.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Appropriations heard a large suspense-file agenda and established a quorum at the start. SB 1167 was announced as not being heard and will be rescheduled. The Department of Finance did not attend because it had no comments on the bills before the committee. Most measures on the agenda were taken up briefly with public testimony, then moved to suspense without objection. Two bills received fuller presentations. SB 872 by Senator McNerney would create a fund to support repairs to Delta levees and State Water Project canals, with testimony from Restore the Delta, State Water Contractors, and numerous water agencies and coalitions emphasizing flood protection, water reliability for 27 million Californians, protection of state assets, and long-term infrastructure costs. Committee members noted the importance of the investment and the likelihood it would be considered in the final suspense decision; SB 872 was moved to suspense. SB 962 by Senator Archuleta would authorize CDCR to use blue emergency lights on parole vehicles, with supporters from the California Correctional Peace Officers Association citing the line-of-duty death of a parole agent and the need for a low-cost, discretionary safety tool. The bill was also moved to suspense. SB 950, dealing with coverage for FDA-approved medically necessary treatments for early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, was discussed as having a minimal near-term fiscal impact, though members noted costs could rise if new treatments emerge. The committee asked the author to consider a sunset amendment, but the bill received a do pass motion and was approved on a 7-0 vote, then placed on call for additional members. The remaining bills taken up, including SB 870, SB 1120, SB 888, SB 904, SB 986, SB 1029, SB 1186, SB 895, SB 1004, SB 1123, SB 909, SB 945, SB 1037, SB 953, SB 1001, SB 1188, SB 1407, SB 967, SB 1135, SB 1136, SB 988, SB 1069, SB 1000, SB 1024, SB 1179, SB 1025, SB 1040, SB 1081, SB 1091, SB 1131, SB 1138, SB 1146, SB 1279, SB 1158, SB 1401, SB 1162, SB 1293, SB 1334, SB 1382, SB 1397, SB 1178, SB 1414, SB 1214, SB 1218, SB 1257, SB 1265, SB 1286, SB 1322, SB 1337, SB 1340, SB 1276, SB 1358, and SB 1412, were moved to the suspense file without objection, with a few witnesses registering support or opposition on selected measures.