Transcript Highlights:

• , is to create minimum codes and standards.
• ><c> standards</c><00:02:41.440><c> what</c><00:02:41.599><c> the</c><00:02:41.720><c> bill</c><00:02
• :42.040><c> does</c> codes and standards what the bill does codes and standards what the bill does is
• You can exceed the minimum standards; you just can't reduce it.
• But you can exceed the minimum standards; you just can't reduce it.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 540, which would make the most recent state building codes supersede county codes beginning in 2028 and limit county changes without State Building Code Council approval. Grassroot Institute testified in support, while IBEW Local 1260 strongly opposed the bill as written, warning it could let counties weaken state minimum standards and create problems for fire code and sprinkler requirements. Members discussed the need for consistency in building codes and the impact of the State Building Code Council’s status, and the chair said the measure would be deferred indefinitely. The committee also heard SB 626 on disaster preparedness, which would prohibit planting large trees along evacuation routes and require HEMA to identify and remove obstructive trees. Testimony included comments from DLNR, HEMA, and others, with HEMA opposing the measure. The chair said more coordination was needed between DLNR and HEMA and deferred the bill. SB 692, regulating retail and wholesale spray paint sales and assigning jurisdiction to the Department of Law Enforcement, drew opposition from the Retail Merchants of Hawaiʻi, which said the bill would impose costly storage and reporting burdens on small retailers and raise identity-theft concerns. The committee deferred that measure as well. In a separate decision-making segment, the committee considered SB 9 on fireworks and recommended passage with amendments. The amendments narrowed or removed several sections, increased certain penalties from $500 to $1,000, adjusted forfeiture allocations, accepted an Attorney General amendment, added an appropriation for community safety education programs, and changed the effective date to July 1, 2077. The motion to pass with amendments was adopted by a vote of 2-1. Later, in a joint hearing, SB 1102 on the aircraft rescue firefighting unit drew support from DOT but opposition from the Hawaiʻi Firefighters Association, which asked that the bill be held. SB 41, establishing Hawaiʻi Disaster Drill Day on August 8, received support from HEMA and a public testifier. SB 1570, addressing Molokaʻi air service disruptions and a possible runway expansion, drew strong public support from Molokaʻi residents and service providers, while the Attorney General raised separation-of-powers concerns about the emergency declaration language and DOT noted the high cost and feasibility issues of runway expansion.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that standard has held up in the courts so far, and we do think it’s the most flexible approach.”
• Similarly, Instagram is moving teen accounts toward a PG-13 content standard by default, meaning teens
• While there were diverging viewpoints, the work group ultimately recommended that clear, standardized
• I served as a member of the Wildfire Mitigation and Resiliency Standards Work Group as well, and I'm
• We would like to see standardized disclosure forms that are developed by the OIC.

Summary: The Senate Business, Trade and Economic Development Committee first held a work session on protecting children online. Testimony focused on a proposed Kids Online Protection Act that would limit addictive algorithmic feeds for minors and restrict push notifications during school hours and at night. Supporters included a former tech executive, a Meta whistleblower, and a psychology researcher, who argued that social media design exploits adolescent development, harms well-being, and that the bill gives parents and children more control without banning access to content. Industry and trade group witnesses opposed the approach, arguing it would violate the First Amendment, create privacy risks through age verification, and could reduce useful personalization and safety tools; they said companies are already implementing teen protections and parental controls. The committee did not take a vote during the work session. The committee then held a public hearing on Senate Bill 5928, sponsored by Senators Warnick and Short at the request of the Insurance Commissioner. The bill would require property insurers using wildfire risk scores or models to disclose more information to consumers, explain adverse factors, provide appeal and rescoring processes, and account for mitigation actions in rate filings and discounts. The Office of Insurance Commissioner, a Colville Tribal representative, fire district testimony, climate advocates, realtors, hospitality businesses, and insurance agents generally supported the bill as a transparency and consumer-protection measure, with some urging inclusion of commercial lines and stronger recognition of local fire mitigation. Several insurance trade groups opposed or were neutral, warning that the bill goes too far, could expose proprietary underwriting information, increase regulation and costs, and should be narrowed to align with other states’ approaches. No vote was taken, and the chair adjourned after the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• tailored to each individual student, and a summary criterion-based assessment based on the Texas standards
• Tests meet the standards spelled out in the statute.
• Like Commissioner Morath said, students will be measured against clear state-adopted academic standards
• It relates the student to a standard.
• That's correct, so you'll get one that we provide, which we know is standards-aligned and has to meet

Bills: SB8, SB 8

Keywords: education, accountability, public school assessment, state law, transparency, intervention, performance ratings, sex designation, restroom access, civil penalties, private civil right of action, women's privacy, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Or at least two times, if not three times, and applying slightly different standards.
• So, House Bill 4585 seeks to address the challenges by establishing clear and consistent standards for
• Establishing a caseload standard for every other part of DFPS will similarly help protect vulnerable
• Today, the only caseload standards have been in conservatorship, and that's due to the current federal
• Having safe caseload standards will help us fulfill this mandate. Any questions?

Bills: HB660, HB4845, HB3902, HB5396, HB4615, HB1825, HB1403, HB4336, HB4585, HB4371, HB863, SB1589, HB5223, HB3195, HB2734

Keywords: child protective services, adult protective services, caseload limits, call processing goals, child-care licensing, employee workload, reporting requirements, employee caseload limits, protective services, workload management, accountability, Department of Family and Protective Services, employee goals, call processing, child care, human resources, government accountability, Medicaid, provider enrollment, revalidation

Transcript Highlights:

• However, their education standards meet the dental education standards for the similar procedures that
• Those competency standards mean something.
• For the procedures they perform, including... ...these standards mean something.
• There is a standard Grace and Smalls Mobility Index.
• The standard tooth mobility standard Grace and Smalls Mobility Index, the standard tooth mobility classification

Summary: The Health Professions and Programs Subcommittee heard and advanced three bills. HB 21 would create a new licensed profession of dental therapy under the Department of Health and Board of Dentistry, allowing trained dental therapists to provide a limited scope of care under a supervising Florida-licensed dentist through a collaborative management agreement. Sponsor Rep. Cheney argued the bill would help address severe dental shortages and improve access in underserved areas; opponents from the Florida Dental Association and oral surgery groups warned that the bill would allow irreversible procedures by less-educated providers and could compromise patient safety. Supporters, including dentists, hygienists, and community health center leaders, said dental therapists would expand access and free dentists to handle more complex care. An amendment was adopted to require proof of local anesthesia training, adverse-incident reporting, and updated background screening language. The bill was reported favorably as amended by a 14-1 vote. The committee then considered HB 27, which creates the Social Work Licensure Interstate Compact to allow licensed social workers to practice across member states, including through telehealth, and to help military families and address workforce shortages. Supporters from the National Association of Social Workers and other advocates said the compact would improve mobility, reduce administrative burdens, and expand access to mental health services, especially in underserved and rural areas. A technical amendment restoring model language and setting an effective date of July 1, 2025 was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably as amended on a 15-0 vote. Finally, the committee heard HB 29, the public-records companion to the social work compact, which creates exemptions needed for compact compliance and allows the compact commission or its committees to meet in closed session when discussing information exempt under law. After a technical amendment authorizing closed meetings for exempt matters was adopted, the bill was reported favorably as amended on a 15-0 vote. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, there’s a standard for—oh, sorry. Mr.
• Okay, this is about the legal standards, like the—okay.
• My question is around kind of the evidentiary standards involved. Is that so?
• As far as the preponderance standard goes, it's already that too.
• HB 2968 does not eliminate evidentiary standards.

Summary: The committee first heard HB 2793, which would let cities and towns expedite annexations when 100% of the affected property owners request it, and would modernize notice requirements by allowing electronic newspaper publication and a single on-site notice for small single-parcel annexations. Buckeye supported the bill as a way to streamline uncontested annexations and reduce delay and cost, while a senator raised concerns based on a recent contentious Tucson annexation and the speed of public notice. The committee voted 4-3 to give HB 2793 a do pass recommendation. Members then considered HB 2041, which would prohibit a parent, guardian, or custodian from being found to have abused or neglected a child solely because poverty prevented them from providing supervision, clothing, food, shelter, or medical care. Child welfare advocates supported the bill as a step toward decriminalizing poverty, while another witness argued it did not go far enough because it still allowed investigations based on poverty. Several members said they supported the concept but wanted further changes, and the bill passed 4-3. The committee also approved HB 2239, creating a child care grant program and infrastructure fund at DES to expand access in underserved areas; testimony from child care providers and parents emphasized shortages, workforce challenges, and the need for facilities, and the committee adopted an amendment adding tax credit language and eligible applicants before passing the bill 6-0 with one not voting. HB 2321, requiring DCS to place a credit freeze on a child’s credit report when the child enters care, passed 7-0 without testimony. HB 2371, allowing consenting divorcing parties without minor children to use AI-assisted arbitration and adding an amendment on therapeutic interventions and expert testimony in parenting cases, drew concerns about using AI for binding family-law decisions and about the amendment’s relevance; it passed 4-3. HB 2594, strengthening protections for participants in the address confidentiality program in family-law matters and sealing related voter records, received strong support from a witness describing repeated attempts by an ex-partner to obtain a protected address and passed 7-0 after amendment. HB 2661, requiring DCS to inform parents under investigation that they may delegate temporary guardianship and, as amended, limiting additional documentation requirements, passed 4-3 despite concerns that it gave too much discretion to parents accused of abuse or neglect.

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, there's a standard for—oh, sorry. Mr.
• My question is around the evidentiary standards involved. Is that so?
• I'm here to answer evidentiary standard questions. So I'll keep my comments short.
• As far as the preponderance standard goes, it's already that too.
• HB 2968 does not eliminate evidentiary standards.

Bills: HB2041, HB2144, HB2239, HB2321, HB2371, HB2594, HB2661, HB2662, HB2793, HB2968, HB2995

Keywords: child neglect, financial resources, behavioral health, Christian Science treatment, parental rights, child support, preborn children, retroactive support, medical expenses, child welfare, child care, grant program, low-income, early learning, infrastructure, economic growth, security freeze, credit reporting, dependent children, parental notification

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> community solar standard in Minnesota. community solar standard in Minnesota.
• </c><00:41:37.920><c> That's</c> standard and community solar law.
• That's standard and community solar law.
• </c> Hortman's 2013 solar energy standard Hortman's 2013 solar energy standard included<00:42:06.400>
• And so, in the same way, in global warming, we have to say, 'What is the gold standard?

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So if we're talking about language arts, we mean the language arts standards, of which reading is one
• We don't have to stick with the standard publishers.
• We don't have to stick with the standard publishers. the 50%.
• We don't have to stick with the standard publishers.
• And so... ...standards for that content area.

Bills: SB234, SB210, SB243, SB244, SM16, HB8

Keywords: foster children, school transportation, education funding, public education, child welfare, New Mexico Highlands University, soccer field, women's sports, infrastructure improvement, funding allocation, student athletes, appropriation, New Mexico State University, nutrition, travel support, funding, education, university support, financial assistance, parenting students

Transcript Highlights:

• Our gold standard is a closed file within 60 days. "60 days?"
• But why, can you, can you—is that a standard in all the insurance things?
• So the next core is the Division of Labor Standards Administration found on page 32.
• On page 50 is the Division of Labor Standards.
• On page 50 is the Division of Labor Standards Mine and Cave Safety Program.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now about that standard, two things.
• So you're nodding your head about the best standard when he said that's the industry standard.
• the industry standard is more precisely, that might be helpful.
• standard if they so choose.
• California, you can adopt a stricter standard.

Summary: The Assembly Judiciary Committee heard several housing- and courts-related bills. AB 768, by Assemblymember Avila Farias, would close a loophole in mobile home rent control by excluding homes not used as permanent residences, such as vacation or short-term rental use. Supporters said it would preserve affordability for full-time residents while preventing wealthy second-home owners from benefiting from rent control; a nonprofit housing operator asked for a technical amendment to avoid conflicts with tax-exempt bond restrictions. The bill was moved and passed as amended. AB 1359, by Assemblymember Arambula, would let people age 80 and older request a permanent jury-service excuse without providing a doctor’s note. Supporters from the California Senior Legislature said the current medical-note requirement is burdensome and unnecessary, while some members raised concerns about reducing older adults’ participation on juries and suggested the exemption should be more flexible or reversible. After discussion, the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 1406, by Assemblymember Ward, would raise the cap on liquidated damages in new condominium pre-sale contracts from 3% to 10% to help developers finance condo projects and increase for-sale housing production. Developers and housing advocates argued the change would improve financing and make more condos feasible, while realtors and consumer advocates warned it would shift too much risk onto buyers, especially first-time homebuyers. Committee members expressed mixed views and asked for stronger consumer protections; the author said he was open to further amendments, and the bill was held open with the roll call not fully completed in the excerpt. The committee also began hearing AB 1157, by Chair Kalra, which would lower and make permanent the rent cap under the Tenant Protection Act and extend protections to single-family home renters, but the transcript excerpt mainly captures extensive public support testimony and the author’s opening presentation, with no final vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want the members to know that the standards board is comprised of three members.
• Workforce standards board.
• The standards became effective January 1. I don't know.
• The standards became effective January 1.
• We have a very important item to talk about with, again, the nursing home standards board.

Transcript Highlights:

• So basically setting a standard for receiving extra protection.
• What it does is it establishes a standard for what is considered good journalism, and then if you're
• going to call yourself a news source, then you have to meet this standard, and then this legislation
• Representative Boyko: So basically setting a standard for receiving extra protection.
• We're going to add protection; let's add some standards.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These mRNA products were never developed as standard medicine, but as EUA countermeasures.
• and switch, if you will, from clinical trial formulations to mass-marketed ones without meeting standard
• These MRI products were never developed as standard medicine, but as EUA. products were never developed
• as standard medicine, but as EUA countermeasures.
• They have recognized that when federal agencies fail to uphold rigorous safety standards, the state has

Summary: The Senate Health and Welfare Committee approved the February 10, 2026 minutes and then took up Senate Bill 1346, a measure proposing a two-year pause on mRNA-based COVID-19 products for pregnant women and children. Senator Shippey presented the bill as a targeted safety pause to allow more long-term review, saying it was not a blanket ban and that amendments were likely needed to clarify the bill’s language and the process for reviewing safety data. He also said the committee should send the bill to the 14th order for possible amendments. The committee heard extensive testimony both for and against the bill. Supporters, including Nicholas Holster, Christina Parks, James Thorpe, Laura Dembray, Xavier Figueroa, and several others, argued that mRNA products are unsafe, described them as gene therapy, and cited alleged harms to fertility, pregnancy, children, and broader health outcomes. Opponents, including physician Stephen Montemot, Primo Castro of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization, and parent Stephanie Neymour, argued that mRNA vaccines are not gene therapy, that the bill would restrict parental choice and access to medical care, and that decisions should remain with patients and doctors. Committee members also questioned the bill’s definitions, the legislature’s ability to review scientific data, the scope of the exemption for cancer and genetic disorder therapies, and whether the measure would affect other vaccines. After debate, members expressed mixed views: some supported further work on the bill, while others raised concerns about government overreach, the breadth of the definitions, and whether the legislature had the expertise or mechanism to evaluate safety data. Senator Lenny moved to send SB 1346 to the 14th order for possible amendments, and the motion passed by roll call vote, 5-4. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• State legislatures have the primary authority in shaping school curriculum and educational standards,
• Yes, I'm not as involved in the standard development process to provide some reassurance.
• For K-12 public schools, this looks like establishing standards that students will learn, so they're
• Owsley, made an excellent point about how cautious we should be when we are implementing new standards
• Owsley, made an excellent point about how cautious we should be when we are implementing new standards

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and housing standards for agricultural workers, and that the same be committed to the Committee on Agriculture
• and housing standards for agricultural workers, and that the same be committed to the Committee on Agriculture
• which is an act relating to fair labor which is an act relating to fair labor standards<00:14:21.120>
• <c> and</c><00:14:21.360><c> housing</c><00:14:21.920><c> standards</c><00:14:22.320><c> for</c> standards
• and housing standards for standards and housing standards for agricultural<00:14:23.360><c> workers.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And what we're seeing is that over the past 30 years, there have been no common standards for paying
• This is why, after months of trying to figure out who the experts are or what standards are out there
• , even international standards, we couldn't find any.
• The task force's goal is to recommend where standards are needed and which agencies must be involved
• Several other states are looking at other ways of trying to come up with standards.

Summary: The Assembly Insurance Committee held its fifth oversight hearing on the California Department of Insurance’s Sustainable Insurance Strategy (SIS), with Commissioner Ricardo Lara providing an update on implementation. Lara said the department has finalized major reforms, including new catastrophe modeling tools, faster rate review procedures, use of forward-looking data tied to mitigation, and modernization of the FAIR Plan. He argued the strategy is intended to improve insurance availability in wildfire-prone areas, increase transparency, and stabilize the market, while also criticizing consumer intervenor groups and saying the department will tighten rules on intervener compensation and relevance. Members questioned Lara about when the SIS would begin producing visible market changes, how long rate filings would take to approve, and what the FAIR Plan modernization would mean for consumers’ costs. Lara said catastrophe model approvals should be completed by the end of the month, insurers are expected to begin submitting SIS filings in the coming weeks, and rate reviews have already been reduced from 281 days to 71 days. He also discussed a new market conduct investigation into State Farm’s handling of wildfire claims, ongoing complaints about smoke-damage claims, and a newly created smoke claims and remediation task force to develop standards. Lara said the department has helped more than 12,000 wildfire survivors, with over 38,000 claims filed and more than $17 billion paid, and that it is also working with other western states on underinsurance issues. Public commenters from the insurance industry, homebuilding, and insurance brokerage sectors largely supported the SIS and the department’s efforts, saying the reforms are needed to restore availability and stability. They emphasized the importance of timely rate approvals, FAIR Plan solvency, and greater transparency, and several noted that member companies are preparing to use the new filing process. The hearing ended without a vote or formal action, though members and the commissioner discussed ongoing legislative needs, including AB 226 and possible future FAIR Plan transparency measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• Wine should meet the same standard.
• And this standard is not new or unusual.
• The federal standard for any state to label as a state is only 75%.
• Legislature took it upon themselves to bring that California standard up to 100%.
• So the question is not whether we maintain standards; we do.

Summary: The committee heard several bills, with extensive testimony and debate. AB 2507 by Assembly Member Wynn would strengthen state consultation with federally recognized tribal governments by requiring clearer tribal liaison roles, a tribal advisory committee, and more consistent early engagement across agencies. Support came from Wilton Rancheria and the California Tribal Business Alliance, with members praising the bill as improving respect, coordination, and outcomes for tribes. AB 2024, also by Wynn, would require the Outdoor Advertising Act permitting process to reach a determination on submitted applications, aimed at reducing delays and uncertainty; it drew support from the outdoor advertising industry and the California Association of Realtors, with members describing it as a technical cleanup measure. Both bills were later moved to Appropriations, along with a consent calendar of several other measures. AB 1585 by Assembly Member Connolly would require wine labeled as American to be made from 100% American-grown grapes, aligning the federal “American” label with California’s existing 100% state-origin standard. Supporters, including California wine grape growers, family wineries, consumer advocates, and several local agricultural groups, argued the bill would improve truth in labeling and help struggling growers. Opponents from major wine companies and industry groups warned it could reduce flexibility, create labeling complications, and limit the ability to list varietal and vintage on some blended wines. After a lengthy debate over labeling standards, consumer expectations, and impacts on interstate wine sales, the committee passed the bill to Appropriations. AB 1605 by Assembly Member Ransom would allow judges to place a no-alcohol-sales notice on the licenses of repeat or serious DUI offenders, restricting their ability to purchase alcohol as a preventive measure. Supporters, including the California Police Chiefs Association, the Safe California Roads Coalition, and the California Association of Highway Patrolmen, said the bill would give courts another tool to reduce recidivism and save lives. Retailers and restaurant representatives raised concerns about implementation and ID-checking burdens, but the bill was amended and passed to Appropriations. AB 2211 by Assembly Member Hoover, which would allow craft distillers to operate a second tasting room, also advanced with support from the California Distillers Association. Finally, AB 1578 by Assembly Member Jackson, presented by Assembly Member Solache, would require anti-hate speech training for local and state elected officials; it drew strong opposition over First Amendment and definitional concerns, and members pressed for a clearer definition of hate speech before further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Better rate structures, clearer documentation standards, stronger guardrails around high-cost plans,
• ,</c><00:07:47.720><c> and</c> changes, shifting standards, and changes, shifting standards, and proposals
• ,</c><00:08:15.360><c> stronger</c> documentation standards, stronger documentation standards, stronger
• There's no standardized setting approval process currently.
• There's no standardized they operate.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So the standards that we're adhering to are defined by the National Emergency Number Association and
• I referenced earlier the National Emergency Number Association standards for building Next Generation
• I referenced earlier the National Emergency Number Association standards for building Next Generation
• I referenced earlier the National Emergency Number Association standards for building Next Generation
• So I think by Standards. That's the Emergency Number Association.

Keywords: 987, senate, all