Transcript Highlights:

• Not only does it disrupt essential transportation services, but it also creates serious safety risks.
• disrupts essential transportation disrupts essential transportation services<00:32:35.960> but
• Critical infrastructure, including power stations, water facilities, and transportation hubs, are vital
• There's also an amendment coded House File 7 A3. Who will be offering the amendment?
• uh house file 7 A3 who will be coded uh house file 7 A3 who will be offering<01:15:45.159> the

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm just wondering about the logistics of transportation. Absolutely.
• I met with our transportation director in Falmouth Public Schools, and we really talked about this.
• Budget concerns, especially around transportation... ...and scheduling impacts on sports and after-school
• I think that the abuse might have been prevented if our school had a clear code of conduct and a culture
• educator across the state needs to have abuse prevention training, and every school needs a clear code

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee opened a public hearing on 41 bills related to school climate and safety, with chairs Jason Lewis and Ken Gordon outlining procedures and noting more than 125 witnesses. The first major topic was the “Study Act” on cell phones in schools and related social media restrictions (House 666/Senate 335). Secretary of Education Pat Tutwiler and Attorney General Andrea Campbell testified in strong support, arguing that bell-to-bell phone-free policies would improve student focus, reduce anxiety and distraction, and support mental health. Several legislators also supported the approach, though Representative Jeff Turco and Senator John Keenan emphasized narrower bills focused only on school-day phone restrictions rather than broader social media regulation. Senator John Velis likewise backed a comprehensive school-hours restriction, citing student distraction and mental health concerns. Representative Tarsky described successful implementation of a Yondr pouch system in a school where he served as principal, saying it improved engagement and reduced bullying and discipline issues. The committee then heard testimony on a bill to prohibit Native American mascots in public schools (Senate 312/House 575). Senator Joe Comerford, Brittany Wally, and Rhonda Anderson all urged passage, saying Native mascots are dehumanizing, harmful to Native youth, and inconsistent with civil rights and educational values. They described support from tribal nations and noted that many Massachusetts schools have already changed mascots, but some still resist. The hearing also included testimony on school start times (House 647/Senate 360), where middle school students Caroline Duffy and Emery Jarvis described exhaustion and survey data showing widespread sleep deprivation. Former educator Telia Jacobs, former principal Rep. Tarsky, and others argued that later start times would improve health, learning, and student well-being, while acknowledging transportation and scheduling challenges. Zoriana Petrosian, who helped write one of the bills as a student, said the state already has enough research to act now. Additional bills drew testimony on related school issues. Dr. Raul Fernandez supported a bill promoting racially integrated schools (Senate 324), citing a recent advisory council report showing large disparities in segregated schools and urging DESE to develop a statewide integration strategy. On safe firearm storage education (House 548/Senate 397), multiple witnesses from Grassroots for Gun Violence Prevention and school communities supported annual school-based education about secure storage, saying it would help prevent child access to unsecured firearms and build on local resolutions already adopted in some districts. The committee also heard testimony on bills to expand career and academic plans (House 533/Senate 438), with speakers saying more structured planning would help students make informed college and career choices. Later, testimony on child sexual abuse prevention and survivor support bills described the prevalence of abuse, the need for training in schools and youth-serving organizations, and the importance of extending compensation and prevention measures. Throughout the hearing, chairs repeatedly closed bills with no witnesses and moved the agenda forward, but no votes were taken in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's not transportation to reach these schools in many cases for my community.
• we hear about pretty relentlessly from our membership, where we have this section of the education code
• And I just wanted to highlight where this bill exists in current law for Education Code 45103 says that
• she experienced an unplanned and unwanted pregnancy, she needed care, but didn't have reliable transportation
• Many of these issues are in direct violation of California code, and if they were in off-campus housing

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee heard several measures focused on community college baccalaureate programs and trustee compensation. AB 2528 would raise the maximum monthly compensation cap for community college district trustees, with the author and supporters arguing the change is permissive, long overdue, and needed to make service more accessible to working people and better reflect community diversity. CSEA took a tweener position, warning about optics and asking for longer public notice before any compensation increase, while some members raised concerns about taxpayer costs and benefits. The bill was discussed but no final vote is reflected in the transcript excerpt. The committee then took up AB 2053, which would authorize Coast Community College District to offer a cybersecurity bachelor’s degree. Supporters said the bill addresses a workforce shortage, serves working adults and veterans, and includes an LAO evaluation and a sunset. CSU and its Academic Senate opposed the bill, arguing it duplicates existing CSU programs and could set a precedent for more one-off degrees. Members also raised questions about funding, Prop. 98, and whether the program would divert resources; the author said the district already has funding and that the bill is a narrow pilot. The committee voted to do pass and re-refer the bill to Appropriations, with several ayes and some no votes, and the roll left open for additional members. AB 2301, a pilot allowing up to 10 community college districts to offer nursing bachelor’s degrees, drew broad support from nursing, labor, and community college groups who said California faces a severe nursing shortage and that community colleges offer a more affordable pathway for working and rural students. CSU and other opponents argued existing ADN-to-BSN pathways are more efficient and that the bill could worsen competition for limited clinical placements and faculty. Members questioned funding and Prop. 98 impacts; the Chancellor’s Office said the pilot would not require new state funding and would rely on existing mechanisms such as Strong Workforce and nursing infrastructure grants. The committee voted to do pass and re-refer AB 2301 to Appropriations, with the roll again left open. The transcript then began AB 2694, a broader workforce-responsive baccalaureate expansion bill intended to address duplication rules and create a more flexible process for community college bachelor’s degrees, but the discussion was not completed in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's not transportation to reach these schools in many cases for my community.
• This section of the Education Code is very well-intentioned.
• I just wanted to highlight where this bill exists in current law, for Education Code 45103 says that
• she experienced an unplanned and unwanted pregnancy, she needed care, but didn't have reliable transportation
• Many of these issues are in direct violation of California Code, and if they were in off-campus housing

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If we're getting non-emergent medical transportation vans, those might also qualify to go out to the
• If we're getting non-emergent medical transportation vans, those might also qualify to go out to the
• be how appeals are driven by state and federal law, federal regulations, and state administrative code
• administrative law judge at the Office of Administrative Hearings, and it's conducted under Century Code

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the March 18 minutes, and then received a series of updates on health-related projects and Department of Health and Human Services budget matters. Representatives from CHI St. Alexius in Bismarck and Williston, and Altru in Grand Forks, reported progress on behavioral health expansion projects, including demolition and construction milestones, updated timelines, funding status, staffing plans, and barriers such as an unbudgeted air handler replacement in Williston. Members asked about original completion dates, use of telehealth, recruitment of psychiatrists and other staff, and whether the new beds might reduce the need for patients to travel to Jamestown State Hospital. The projects were described as on track overall, with completion expected in 2027 for the larger builds and earlier openings for some phases in Williston. The committee then heard from HHS leadership on technical line-item transfers and the Salaries and Wages Block Grant. Donna Ockland explained that recent transfers were administrative corrections to place spending in the proper budget lines and did not involve new spending, and she reviewed FTE counts and vacancies across the department. Questions focused on behavioral health staffing changes and the use of consultants in the Rural Health Transformation Program. Pat Rainer outlined the rural health program’s first-year grants and priorities, including workforce retention, rural rotations and housing, community wellness initiatives, behavioral health promotion, safety net services, hospital equipment, suicide prevention training, technology, and EMS support. He said North Dakota’s plan was drawing positive national attention, but the department still needed to obligate roughly $199 million by September and was working with CMS on timing and compliance. The committee also received an update on certified community behavioral health clinics from Elena Zeller. She said North Dakota had been accepted as a demonstration state, with certification efforts underway in Williston, North Central, Fargo, and Dickinson. Members asked about care coordination, service growth, staffing, and whether certification would expand to all clinics; the department said it was still collecting baseline data and evaluating impacts before making future recommendations. Finally, Rebecca Askins reviewed SNAP payment error rates, explaining that the 2025 rate was finalized at 9.89 percent and that the department is working on training, system changes, and quality assurance steps to get below 6 percent. Members pressed on the causes of monthly variability, the performance of the SPACES system, and accountability for ongoing errors, and the department said it expects improvement over the next 6 to 12 months.

Transcript Highlights:

• She has worked on HUD regulations, fair housing requirements, city code enforcement, and she is passionate
• Title 41, Chapter 23 of the Arizona Revised Statutes, Section 41-23-4125, relating to the Procurement Code
• , equal parenting; SB 1818; wayfinding; SB 1829, appropriations; SB 1829, probation; SCM 106, transportation
• I wish to announce that the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will be meeting in House Hearing

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then I drove him three hours in my car because transportation isn't covered.
• And then I drove him three hours in my car because transportation isn't covered from skilled nursing
• I coded. Thank goodness my husband was in the hospital room with me.
• I coded. Thank goodness my husband was in the hospital room with me.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in the areas that are related to health-related social needs, Madam Chair, like housing, food, transportation
• from the owners of our health care system to protect the health of all Minnesotans regardless of zip code
• <00:35:43.839> regardless<00:35:44.320> of<00:35:44.560> zip<00:35:44.800> code
• <00:35:45.599> Thank<00:35:45.839> you motans regardless of zip code.
• Thank you motans regardless of zip code.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• veterans in their homes and reduce their risk of homelessness or housing instability by ensuring the tax code
• Because of those conditions, public transportation or even taxis can be a major hurdle, often triggering

Summary: The committee heard several veterans-related bills. SB 888 would exclude VA service-connected disability compensation from household income when determining eligibility for the low-income disabled veterans’ property tax exemption. Support came from veterans organizations, county veterans services groups, and local officials; there was no opposition, and the bill was approved and sent to Appropriations. SB 1040 would create a state-local matching program for veterans’ cemetery maintenance endowments, with the state matching private or local deposits up to $250,000 per cemetery per year. It drew support from veterans groups and county representatives and was also approved and sent to Appropriations. The committee also considered SB 1407, which would exempt military retirement pay and surviving spouse military retirement benefits from state income tax. The author and supporters argued it would help retain military retirees in California and support the workforce and economy. The bill received broad support from veterans organizations, county officials, and labor representatives, with no opposition, and was moved to Appropriations, with the roll held open and later completed. SB 1034 would streamline access to disabled veteran parking placards for veterans rated 100% permanent and total, and SB 1201, the No Hungry Heroes Act, would seek federal waivers and other changes to protect vulnerable veterans from CalFresh/SNAP cuts and ensure referrals to county veterans service officers. Both bills had support from veterans advocates and food banks, no opposition, and were approved to Appropriations. Finally, SB 1354 would prohibit out-of-state military personnel from entering California to perform military or law enforcement functions without the governor’s permission, while preserving Title 10 activations and mutual aid arrangements. The author and the California Public Defenders Association framed it as a safeguard for state authority and civil rights; there was no opposition, and it was sent to Public Safety. After the main votes, the committee later completed the held rolls and reported the bills out, then adjourned after thanking veterans and attendees.

Transcript Highlights:

• veterans in their homes and reduce their risk of homelessness or housing instability by ensuring the tax code
• Because of those conditions, public transportation or even taxis can be a major hurdle, often triggering

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair: Representative, you may explain your amendment with bar code 74787. Rep.
• It caps inmate healthcare compensation and emergency medical transportation at 110 percent of Medicare

Transcript Highlights:

• Florida Guardsman continue support of ICE, transportation, detention and security operations as well
• Code detachment. The coders are the uh helicopters that we often used for domestic operations.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You'll also find a program featuring our QR code linking to the wonderful biographies of this year's
• the Public Utilities Commission, and six years on the California Public Records and California Transportation

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's efficiency is crucial to the fresh produce industry where fast, faster transportation reduces cost
• after, but they will come to me and they'll, I'll get a letter saying, well, the grass is tall, the code

Transcript Highlights:

• The idea is that they're going above and beyond the code in exchange for what would typically be a variance
• And then transporting it back.

Transcript Highlights:

• The other thing that I didn't mention is sometimes capital budgets are driven by code changes as well
• Capital budgets are driven by code changes as well.
• two through five get after that pure fact of like how do we take our facilities to ensure they are code
• Um, and then according to our code of ethics, which is referenced in statute, you must have a human at
• And then we also have to, I believe, our code of ethics is dated.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• CONVERTED THE CHARTER STUDENTS MAY BE FORCED INTO NOT ACCOUNTING OPTIONS WITH NO GUARANTEE OF TRANSPORTATION
• THANK YOU. >> Chair McClain: CODE DEBATE. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED CLOSE ON YOUR BILL. >> Sen.
• LONG AS IT IS WITHIN THE CURRENT VOLTAGE THRESHOLD OF 98 VOLTS AND THE TRUTH THE FLORIDA BUILDING CODE
• IS CONSISTENT WITH THE INTERNATIONAL CODE AS IT RELATES TO TIMBER.
• LAUNCH VEHICLE, PAYLOAD OR SPACECRAFT WITHIN A SPACE PORT TERRITORY ARE EXEMPT IN THE FLORIDA BUILDING CODE

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• their own clothes, their own shoes, gifts and cards to their grandchildren, things like that, transportation
• Some of my co-workers earn even less, with $20 per hour, and the high cost of rent, food, and transportation
• Nursing homes, under the federal code of federal regulations, are required to support a resident council

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing focused largely on senior long-term care issues, family caregiving, post-acute care access, and direct care workforce pay. Testimony strongly supported bills to raise the personal needs allowance for nursing home and rest home residents (including H. 1411, S. 482, and related bills), with speakers from Mass Senior Action, Dignity Alliance, nursing home residents, providers, and former state officials arguing that the current $72.80 monthly allowance has been unchanged since 2008 and is inadequate for basic items like clothing, toiletries, haircuts, and transportation. Witnesses also backed bills to increase MassHealth asset and income limits for seniors and to stop counting life insurance as cash, describing the current rules as outdated and harmful to low-income elders. The committee also heard testimony on bills allowing family members, including spouses and guardians, to be paid caregivers (H. 1394/S. 886), with supporters saying this would help families keep loved ones at home and reduce reliance on costly institutional care. Another set of bills (H. 1412/S. 903) drew support from a physician who said clearer MassHealth communication and improved post-acute care determination processes would help reduce delays and backlogs for patients awaiting skilled nursing, rehabilitation, or other post-acute placement. Several speakers emphasized that better home- and community-based care can prevent hospital readmissions and support independence. A major portion of the hearing focused on S. 877, which would establish an enhanced care worker minimum wage of $25 per hour, indexed to inflation, for certain home care and human services workers. Union representatives and direct care workers from SEIU Local 509, 1199 SEIU, and the AFL-CIO described severe staffing shortages, burnout, low wages, and high turnover across home care, mental health, disability services, and crisis response. They argued that higher pay is necessary to recruit and retain workers and to stabilize services for vulnerable residents. Committee members asked about costs, comparisons with other states, and whether non-wage incentives could help, but witnesses repeatedly said wages were the central issue. The hearing concluded after all registered testimony was heard, with the committee noting it would continue accepting written testimony and then adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Tijuana River transports millions of gallons of untreated wastewater into California every year,
• SB 1218 provides a straightforward, proven solution by amending the California Vehicle Code to require
• And we will be discussing the May revise as it relates to judiciary, labor, transportation, and prisons

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Transportation funding did increase over in the state Senate.
• For me notably, you know how important the child care subsidies and school transportation funding were
• business located anywhere in the world that rents out the whole house on Airbnb... ...gets the same tax code

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal for the 56th day by a roll call vote of 131-2. The Speaker also signed several measures, including House Bill 1768, House Committee Substitute for House Bill 1866, Senate Substitute for House Committee Substitute for House Bill 1870, Senate Committee Substitute for House Bill 2180, and Senate Substitute for Senate Committee Substitute for House Committee Substitute for House Joint Resolutions 173 and 174. Members then offered a point of personal privilege recognizing National Infertility Awareness Week and shared a constituent’s testimony in support of HCR 28, followed by numerous introductions of student groups, guests, and legislative announcements such as Hat Day and Ken Waller Day. The House received Senate messages on a series of budget bills and other measures, including House Bills 2002 through 2013, and then adopted motions on each of the budget bills to refuse the Senate substitutes and send the bills to conference committees. During discussion, members highlighted major budget differences, including child care subsidies, transportation funding, higher education funding, and a large broadband-related funding shift that would affect the apparent size of the operating budget. The budget chair said he had not yet seen all of the Senate’s printed changes but supported going to conference and expressed hope for compromise on disputed items. The chamber then took up Senate Bill 975, relating to ambulance districts and emergency medical services. After adopting a House committee substitute and a House amendment that restored compromise language on community paramedics and made a minor change to first responder mental health services, the bill passed 136-7. Supporters said it would help struggling ambulance districts, improve emergency response, and keep patients out of emergency rooms when appropriate; one member noted the bill was the same language as a previously passed House bill. The House also considered a property tax reform package in Senate Bills 1066 and 1088, adopting two technical and policy amendments on assessor training, electronic notices, protest payments, levy uniformity, and timing of voter-approved tax increases. Despite support from several members, concerns were raised that the bill could limit local control and create legal or fiscal issues for counties and taxing districts. The combined bill ultimately passed 83-61, and the House adjourned until April 27, 2026.