Transcript Highlights:

• AB 1816 takes an important step toward bringing back this important balance.
• Our justice system currently functions in a way where we balance the facts.
• And by implementing this law, we are creating an unjust system that prohibits balancing the facts of
• An unjust system that prohibits balancing the facts of the case.
• This bill strikes the right balance.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's the battle and that we're trying to balance here as we look at this.
• And that's the battle and that we're trying to balance here as we look at this.
• here as we that we're trying to balance here as we look<00:20:46.080><c> at</c><00:20:46.240><c> this
• And so the question that I would ask you is, how do we balance that?
• of the state and you also wear a hat of a law officer of the state, and can we talk about that balance

Bills: SF0101

Keywords: Second Amendment, firearm regulation, state legislation, public safety, civil penalties, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> So, Madam Speaker, um, just on the amendment, the legislature really should have a check and balance
• . >> So, Madam Speaker, um, just on the amendment, the legislature really should have a check and balance
• </c><00:38:01.839><c> on</c><00:38:02.160><c> the</c> should have a check and balance on the should have
• a check and balance on the transportation<00:38:03.119><c> authority</c><00:38:04.240><c> uh</c><00:
• for this purpose, which is balance for this purpose, which is really<00:38:53.119><c> our</c><00:38:

Keywords: House streaming session for Thursday, February 12, 2026, 957, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When asked about strategies that our members are using to balance their budgets, this year, 86% reported
• Penalties and interest continue to accrue on the unpaid tax until the entire balance is paid in full.
• We would greatly appreciate your consideration of this request as we all seek to find the right balance
• This bill restores some balance, explicitly allowing business partnerships with MSOs or investors.
• We understand and support keeping costs low for consumers, and we believe we can strike a balance in

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held a public hearing on multiple bills, beginning with a motion to suspend the five-day notice rule for a long list of Senate bills, which passed on a voice vote. The committee first heard Substitute Senate Bill 6026, a governor-request housing bill that would require cities and counties over 30,000 population to allow residential uses in commercial and mixed-use zones, limit mixed-use/ground-floor commercial requirements in some areas, and allow added height where such requirements are imposed. The lieutenant governor testified strongly in support, arguing the bill would add needed housing capacity without requiring ground-floor retail burdens. The hearing on SB 6026 was then suspended so the committee could move through the agenda. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6294, a broad local government finance measure with eight parts, including expanded uses for certain REET revenues, a new county public utility tax, a new local sales tax for children and family services, expanded housing-related tax uses, changes to county levy structure, longer lid lift periods, and expanded use of rental car tax revenue. Local government, housing, and public health witnesses largely supported the bill, emphasizing flexibility for affordable housing, rental assistance, children’s services, and county fiscal stability. Opponents, including wireless industry, water/sewer district, auto dealer, realtors, energy, and cannabis representatives, objected to specific tax provisions as regressive, costly, or likely to raise consumer prices. Several witnesses requested amendments, including adding public health clinic funding and flood recovery language from House bills. The committee also heard Substitute Senate Bill 5400 on local news sustainability, which would create a state grant program funded by a surcharge on large search engines and social media platforms to support journalism jobs and the Murrow Fellowship program. News organizations, the League of Women Voters, open government advocates, and local journalism supporters testified in favor, saying local news is essential to civic life and that the bill would help sustain reporting without using general fund dollars. Technology industry representatives opposed the bill, arguing it unfairly singles out tech companies and could face legal challenges. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6211, which would let opt-in GMA jurisdictions impose REET-2 without voter approval; cities and counties supported it as a parity and infrastructure funding measure, while Realtors opposed the loss of voter approval. Senate Bill 5650, authorizing local cannabis excise taxes, drew support from some local officials but strong opposition from cannabis businesses, which argued Washington’s cannabis taxes are already too high and drive sales to the illicit market. Senate Bill 6033, waiving penalties and interest for taxpayers who failed to collect new sales tax on certain services, was supported by NFIB as a compliance and fairness measure. Senate Bill 6297, exempting temporary staffing services for nonprofit behavioral health providers from sales tax, drew strong support from behavioral health organizations citing workforce shortages and unsustainable costs. Finally, Senate Bill 6343, extending and expanding tax relief for disaster-damaged property and repairs, was presented as aid for flood recovery; local officials testified in support. No final committee votes on the bills were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• to New Hampshire and expanding balance to New Hampshire and expanding green<01:39:30.560><c> source<
• The New Balance transaction we did just recently was a $70 million project.
• The New Balance transaction we did just recently was a $70 million project.
• The New Balance transaction we did just recently was a $70 million project.
• The New Balance transaction we did just recently was a $70 million project.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, but later things that happened that in that checks and balances processes that they have us go through
• Uh, but later things that happened that in that checks and balances processes that they have us go through
• Uh, but later things that happened that in that checks and balances processes that they have us go through
• But later, things happened in those checks and balances processes that they have us go through.
• But later, things happened in those checks and balances processes that they have us go through.

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call- 00:00:03 Summary of Staff Report on the Firefighter Commission Minimum Training Standards and Administrative Spending- 00:01:00 Staff Update on Child Fatality and Near Fatality External Review Panel 00:16:00 Child Fatality and Near Fatality Review Panel Representatives Available for Questions-00:39:34 Kentucky State Police & Finance Cabinet Status Update on Kentucky Statewide Emergency Responder Voice System-00:52:35 Adjournment-01:46:24, 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from December 19 and June 12, then received a staff report on the Kentucky Fire Commission’s minimum training standards and administrative spending. Staff explained that the commission’s current minimum training hours are 115 for volunteer firefighters and 300 for paid firefighters, down from 150 and 400 before January 1, 2023, after the commission removed elective classes not directly tied to NFPA standards. The report found the commission’s certification testing aligns fully with NFPA standards, but recommended that the commission formally promulgate regulations establishing the reduced training hours. On finances, staff said the commission complied with the first statutory cap on administrative reimbursements to KCTCS, but could not verify compliance with a second, more specific cap because the finance system does not break out program-level costs and the statute is vague. Staff recommended the commission work with KCTCS to fix that issue and suggested the General Assembly may wish to clarify the statute. After questions about reimbursement levels and investment income, the committee voted to accept the report. The committee then heard an update on the Kentucky Child Fatality and Near Fatality External Review Panel. Staff reported that the panel has implemented two of three prior recommendations: it revised its agency notification letter to clearly state the 90-day response deadline and added response prompts and checkboxes to improve completeness. The third recommendation, to adopt formal written procedures, remains in progress; staff said the panel plans to develop those procedures alongside its new case management system. The panel is meeting its statutory membership and meeting requirements, but agency responses to its recommendations have been inconsistent: 48% were timely and appropriate in 2022, 36% in 2023, and 82% in 2024, though only three of nine timely 2024 responses were fully complete. Staff also described the new case management system project, funded with $200,000 in one-time money, and recommended the panel consult budget staff about use of those funds beyond fiscal year 2025. They reissued the recommendation that the panel develop written procedures for case review, findings, recommendations, and annual reports. Committee members raised concerns about the lack of penalties for noncompliance, the volume and length of panel meetings, and technology barriers to reviewing cases, and one member said the panel’s findings should inform future legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• On lines 97 and 98, $500,000 of the balance of the dual training account in the special revenue fund
• On lines 97 and 98, $500,000 of the<00:12:45.680><c> balance</c><00:12:46.000><c> of</c><00:12:46.160
• the</c><00:12:46.320><c> dual</c><00:12:46.560><c> training</c><00:12:46.959><c> account</c> the balance
• of the dual training account the balance of the dual training account in<00:12:47.440><c> the</c><00
• </c><00:29:56.159><c> from</c> transfer unencumbered balances from transfer unencumbered balances from

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ross Greene from Lives in the Balance.
• Ross Greene from Lives in the Balance.
• He said he is the director of policy and legal initiatives at Lives in the Balance.
• ,</c><00:24:58.720><c> as</c> Jones with Lives on the Balance, as Jones with Lives on the Balance, as
• We're a small at Lives in the Balance.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• How can we strike the right balance of making sure that we have a vibrant visitor industry and support
• How can we strike the right balance of making sure that we have a vibrant visitor industry and support
• </c><01:37:53.679><c> between</c> strike the right balance between strike the right balance between commercial
• </c><01:38:20.800><c> of</c><01:38:21.199><c> making</c> we strike the right balance of making we strike
• the right balance of making sure<01:38:21.760><c> that</c><01:38:22.000><c> we</c><01:38:22.159><c>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several bills on water, land, housing, permitting, and historic preservation. For SB 746/SD2/HD1 on invasive species, DLNR and the Department of Agriculture supported the intent but warned that a bounty approach for coconut rhinoceros beetle could have unintended consequences, divert resources from biocontrol research, and be vulnerable to abuse; Hawaii Farm Bureau supported the measure. The committee also heard SB 1541 on the WoE water system, with testimony from ADC, Kunia Village Title Holding Company, and Farm Bureau in support, emphasizing the importance of the system for agriculture and the high cost of water on lands already dedicated to farming. The most extensive discussion was on SB 66, relating to building permit review and county permitting authority. DPP opposed the bill, saying the problem is not just agency review time but the broader permitting process, including applicant corrections, outside-agency review, staffing shortages, and low pay that make it hard to fill vacancies. DPP said it already meets or beats existing review deadlines for residential permits and is using tools like electronic plans and AI to help applicants submit better plans. Several supporters, including Iron Workers Local 625, an individual witness, and Hawaii Food Industry Association, backed the bill but urged a pilot program or other safeguards; some also asked for broader permit coverage beyond single-family homes. Committee members questioned DPP about whether applicant correction time should count against the clock, whether self-certification could be used, and whether the state should fund any new mandate. The committee then took up SB 26 on affordable housing, with HHFDC, OPSD, and HCDA in support and no opposition noted. Finally, on SB 1263 relating to historic preservation, HHFDC and DLNR supported the bill, while OHA offered comments and requested amendments, especially on the new risk-based review process for high-, medium-, and low-risk areas. OHA said the new procedure should be implemented carefully and allowed more time, describing it as a pilot that should be done well to be useful while still protecting cultural and historic resources. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• He said that, as a small office, you have to balance the costs of replacement and recognize that smaller
• He said smaller offices often keep equipment longer to balance replacement costs, but once vendor support
• I saw what happened we got our checks I saw what happened we got our checks and<00:55:43.119><c> balances
• we didn't have one to two and balances we didn't have one to two years<00:55:44.640><c> to</c><00:55
• it's interesting to me that us balance it's interesting to me that us sit<00:56:09.920><c> here</c><

Bills: HF1060, HF1062

Keywords: sports facilities, Minnesota, legislative commission, financial oversight, accountability, HF1062, driver and vehicle systems oversight committee, MNLARS, VTRS, vehicle title and registration system, driver's license system, Minnesota Department of Public Safety, MN.IT, legislative oversight, transportation finance, state government, committee repeal, sunset provision, information technology audit, vehicle registration

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><02:43:17.359><c> Um,</c> We just passed a budget that we've claimed to be balanced.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we remain committed to continuing those conversations with all stakeholders to ensure a fair balance
• This policy choice reflects a balance between privacy and the freedom of information.
• You know, you have to be... taxation question, because access to justice, you have to balance the two
• SB 969 strikes that balance.
• The balance is what are we giving up?

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on artificial intelligence, child safety, mental health, and privacy. SB 574 by Senator Umberg would require transparency and human oversight when attorneys, judges, and court neutrals use AI; it drew support from privacy advocates and committee members, with no opposition. SB 1276, the End Child Exploitation Act, would update child sexual exploitation laws to cover live-streamed and AI-generated abuse material and clarify that viewing such content can be criminally punishable; prosecutors, child advocacy groups, and others supported it, while no one appeared in opposition despite opposition on file. SB 813 would create a California AI standards and safety commission and a voluntary two-tier certification framework for AI safety standards; supporters said it would create scalable, independent oversight, while TechNet and CalChamber opposed it as duplicative, under-defined, and likely to create a de facto mandate. The committee discussed market pressure, federal preemption concerns, and the role of voluntary standards, but no final vote was taken in the excerpt. Senator Padilla also presented SB 300, which would strengthen protections for minors from sexually explicit chatbot content by moving from a reasonableness standard to an affirmative duty to prevent such exposure and to prohibit facilitation. Supporters said new evidence showed greater risks and that companies can and should build stronger safeguards; opponents, including TechNet and CCIA, argued the bill was premature because SB 243 had only recently taken effect and warned it could create strict-liability-like exposure. Padilla then presented SB 903, which would bar AI chatbots from being advertised as therapists, require licensed clinician oversight and informed consent for AI use in psychotherapy, and protect patient confidentiality; it received broad support from mental health professionals and labor groups, while industry and health associations were opposed unless amended over triage and crisis-detection language. The committee members emphasized the need for human judgment in mental health care and noted ongoing negotiations on amendments. The committee also heard SB 1119, a companion to AB 2020, which would require annual risk assessments, crisis-response protocols, default child settings, parental controls, limits on data use, public incident reporting, and third-party audits for chatbots used by children. Supporters argued the bill would address documented harms and improve transparency, while industry groups objected to ambiguous standards, liability exposure, and the private right of action. A roll call vote was taken on SB 1119 after quorum was established; the motion to pass to Appropriations succeeded on a 5-1 vote, with one no vote and the measure left on call for absent members. Finally, SB 354, a privacy bill for insurance consumers, would modernize outdated insurance privacy rules, bar sale of personal information, and expand consumer rights to know, correct, and delete data. Supporters said it would implement Proposition 24’s privacy mandate, while a large coalition of insurers, agents, brokers, and related businesses opposed unless amended, mainly seeking a small-business exemption and narrower treatment of publicly available information; members and the author said negotiations were ongoing and the bill had already been substantially revised.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so it's a balance. I appreciate what you've done.
• Both may be balancing jobs, family responsibilities, and the pressures of school.
• Our engagement on those efforts was focused in great part on establishing a more balanced and targeted
• Balanced and targeted framework that does not bring unintended products within scope.
• This approach strikes an appropriate balance by providing facilities with needed flexibility, allowing

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You'd agree with me that when you're looking at these issues, it's fair to balance the benefits against
• It balances or tries to balance capitalism on the one hand and another approach on the other.
• And I think it's really important for us to be able to reach a balance, thinking of our seniors, those
• I mean, I think balancing the interest of all of our...
• I mean, I think balancing the interest of all of our stakeholders is incredibly important, just making

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But it has to be a balance.
• We have to work with our stakeholders to try to find that balance that's not going to stifle innovation
• you know we have to work with our stakeholders to try to find that balance that's not going to stifle
• I can state and I thought there's certain a balance between the separation and you mentioned in their
• So I think that there's a balance to be struck there and data-level exemptions.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee hearing focused on a package of Massachusetts privacy and technology bills, especially measures to ban the sale of location data, establish a comprehensive consumer data privacy law, and regulate biometric recognition and surveillance pricing. Chairs and sponsors argued that self-regulation has failed, that data brokers and large tech companies routinely collect and monetize sensitive information, and that state action is needed because federal protections are weak or absent. Several speakers tied the bills to reproductive health, gender-affirming care, domestic violence, children’s data, and other sensitive uses of location and biometric information. Supporters included legislators and advocates who backed H. 86/S. 197 (Location Shield), H. 78/S. 45/H. 104/S. 29 (comprehensive privacy bills), H. 99/S. 47 (surveillance pricing in grocery stores), and H. 36/S. 36 (biometric recognition accountability). They emphasized data minimization, bans on selling sensitive data, consumer rights to access, delete, and opt out, and in some cases a private right of action. Several witnesses said Massachusetts should lead or align with other states, while others argued that stronger protections are needed because data can be weaponized by stalkers, anti-abortion actors, abusive partners, insurers, or law enforcement. Industry and coalition witnesses urged the committee to favor a more standardized, interoperable framework modeled on laws already adopted in other states, warning that novel definitions, data-minimization rules, and private rights of action could create compliance burdens, confusion, and costs for businesses, including small businesses. They argued that entity-level exemptions for sectors already covered by federal laws like HIPAA or GLBA promote consistency, and that Attorney General enforcement is preferable to private lawsuits. Committee members questioned witnesses on patchwork concerns, the scope of exemptions, and whether the proposed bills would harm or help consumers and small businesses. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing; written testimony was noted as due later, and the committee continued taking testimony from multiple panels and virtual witnesses.

Transcript Highlights:

• to each one of our practitioners, and and obviously we understand that there was, you know, some balancing
• to each one of our practitioners, and and obviously we understand that there was, you know, some balancing
• official and make sure that there's good coordination and understanding what's happening, and we balance
• understanding what's happening<01:35:59.199><c> and</c><01:35:59.440><c> we</c><01:35:59.760><c> balance
• </c> happening and we balance all that out. happening and we balance all that out.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, this is a balanced and common-sense approach. It protects our young people.
• This bill is about restoring balance.
• That is not a balanced system.
• In closing, AB 2040 strikes a needed balance.
• It protects public safety, honors the will of the voters, and... ...strikes a needed balance.

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of public safety bills, with several measures pulled off calendar and one consent calendar adopted. AB 2419 by Assembly Member Quirk-Silva would extend body-worn cameras to Los Angeles County juvenile probation officers. Supporters said cameras would improve accountability, youth and officer safety, and public trust; opponents argued the bill would not solve deeper problems in juvenile halls and raised concerns about officer discretion, privacy, and labor issues. The bill passed to Appropriations on a roll call vote. AB 1902 by Assembly Member Pellerin, co-sponsored by Santa Cruz County, would revise the juvenile detention extension hearing process in response to the Madison Middleton case. Supporters, including the victim’s mother and county officials, said the bill would clarify jurisdiction, allow continuances, permit hearsay at the probable cause stage, extend the maximum detention period, and better protect the public and victims from repeated trauma. Opponents from public defender, youth justice, and civil liberties groups argued the bill expands civil commitment, reduces review frequency, and could lead to inappropriate adult placement. The committee approved the bill to Appropriations, with some members noting remaining concerns. AB 2052 by Assembly Member Stephanie would allow continuity in prosecution for elder and dependent adult abuse cases, including a limited continuance so the same prosecutor can stay with a case. Supporters said older victims and those with dementia or other impairments benefit from a single point of contact and less repeated trauma; opponents said the bill could undermine speedy-trial rights and was broader than necessary. The bill passed to Judiciary. AB 1588, also by Assembly Member Stephanie, would strengthen sideshow and street takeover enforcement by adding motorcycles and dirt bikes to the law and increasing penalties. Supporters framed it as a public safety and accountability measure, while opponents warned it would expand punishment, surveillance, and fines without addressing root causes; the bill was sent to Transportation on a roll call vote. AB 1753, another Stephanie bill, would tighten firearm relinquishment and protective-order enforcement, expand remote hearing access, and align firearm prohibitions across protective order categories; it passed to Judiciary. The committee also heard AB 1739 by Assembly Member Ward, which would criminalize clergy sexual exploitation when clergy provide therapeutic services, with survivors and advocates testifying in support.

Transcript Highlights:

• As of March 10, the Resources Trust Fund balance was $414 million.
• Repayments during the 14-year period are lent to other sponsors, keeping the outstanding balance near
• Long-term affordability, balancing state interests with the ability of communities and ratepayers to
• So this is trying to find the right balance of... ...us to get every single property out.
• Okay, and currently is what you're balancing that?

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, Madam Chair and Chair Lee, so the state airports fund has a unreserved fund balance of about 4.7
• ,</c><00:28:52.320><c> and</c> would maintain the the balance, and would maintain the the balance, and
• This is the final re-<00:29:45.800><c> remaining</c><00:29:46.280><c> balance</c><00:29:46.640><c> that
• </c><00:29:46.760><c> we</c><00:29:46.880><c> need</c><00:29:47.159><c> to</c> re- remaining balance
• that we need to re- remaining balance that we need to close<00:29:47.600><c> this</c><00:29:47.760><c

Bills: HF4156, HF3835, HF3995, HF4383, HF4091, HF4084, HF4311, HF198, HF4486, HF4302, HF4309, HF4032, HF3855, HF3673, HF4265, HF4012, HF4339, HF4298, HF3852

Keywords: infrastructure, wastewater, stormwater, Buhl, state bonds, appropriations, economic development, water infrastructure, grants, capital investment, funding, state regulation, Frazee, North River Drive, infrastructure improvements, HF4383, Minnesota capital investment, bonding bill, Department of Natural Resources, DNR

Transcript Highlights:

• We will not balance this budget on the back of our seniors.
• We will not balance this budget on the back of our seniors.
• It also reflects, somewhat, the balance between capacity and demand.
• We thank you, Chair, for your strong comments, commenting that we will not balance the budget on the
• We ask the Legislature to reject these proposals that seek to balance California's budget on the backs

Keywords: 988, house, all