Transcript Highlights:

• It was a commuter flight going from Japan's two major cities, Tokyo to Osaka.
• Majority Leader Aguiar-Curry moves, and Mr.
• Seconded by Assistant Majority Leader Garcia. This motion is not debatable.
• The majority has a plan.
• Step one of this majority and this Governor is to pass a phony budget.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call and proceeded to floor business, with the main item being SB 101, the state budget bill. Before debate on the bill, Assembly Member Sanchez offered amendments to redirect funding toward Proposition 36 implementation, wildfire prevention, Medi-Cal provider reimbursement, developmental services, and other priorities; the majority moved to lay those amendments on the table, and the motion passed 43-18. The chamber then took up SB 101 as the budget bill for immediate effect. Debate on the budget was extensive and sharply divided. Supporters, including Assembly Member Gabriel and several committee chairs, described the budget as a difficult but responsible compromise that protects Medi-Cal, IHSS, child care, housing, wildfire prevention, and other safety-net programs while responding to a projected deficit and federal uncertainty. Opponents criticized the budget as fiscally unsound and argued it relied on accounting gimmicks, did not adequately fund Proposition 36 or wildfire prevention, and continued spending on high-speed rail and Medi-Cal coverage for undocumented immigrants. Several members also raised concerns about gas taxes, provider reimbursement, probation funding, and the impact on vulnerable Californians. After debate, the Assembly voted on SB 101 and passed it 57-19. The measure was sent immediately to the Senate. The body then announced upcoming session schedules, with no floor or check-in sessions on June 14 and 15, and a floor session set for June 16 at 1 p.m., before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• trade, building a qualified workforce, supporting our business and communities, we can ensure. stay a major
• So we have four major program areas.
• And this is not to say that we don't have other areas, but these four major program areas are probably
• Majority of that goes to direct care for children. It is a parent's choice.
• Medical benefits are the other major type of benefit.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Bradbury was a partner at major law firms here in Washington, D.C.
• Bradbury from major transportation groups, representing sectors from aviation and trucking to... ports
• And that's a major focus, a major focus I know for the Secretary.
• That's true for every major infrastructure project we fund.
• Major auto manufacturers are filing the patents to do this stuff.

Keywords: transportation, air traffic control, safety regulations, Boeing 737 MAX, Department of Transportation, infrastructure funding, public safety, legislative oversight

Summary: The committee meeting addressed several pressing issues concerning transportation, particularly focusing on the need for improved safety standards and efficient management at the Department of Transportation. Specific discussions revolved around air traffic control, with members highlighting the urgency for a significant upgrade in systems and personnel. Notably, concerns were raised regarding past practices, especially the handling of safety regulations during the Boeing 737 MAX incidents. The committee expressed a clear intent to ensure rigorous safety oversight moving forward, emphasizing that the health and safety of the public must remain the top priority in all legislative and funding decisions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, this means any time there's a majority of the Agency meetings.
• So the presentation today has been broken into two major parts.
• So the presentation today has been broken into two major parts.
• It's one of the major challenges and major problems in our pension system is that lack of a COLA for
• The majority of Left 1 firefighters do not.

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The Select Committee on Pension Policy approved its minutes by roll call vote, then postponed an OSA annual update due to a family emergency. The committee received an Open Public Meetings Act refresher from Assistant Attorney General Kate Adams, who reviewed key compliance points including quorum and serial meetings, notice and agenda rules, executive session limits, public comment requirements, and the consequences of violations. She also noted a litigation hold notice sent to members and provided resources for further guidance. Staff then briefed the committee on E2 Second Substitute House Bill 2034, which restates and terminates LEOFF 1 on June 30, 2029, creates a restated LEOFF 1 funded by transferred assets, and places excess assets into a pension surplus holding account that could later be used by the state. The bill requires DRS to seek IRS guidance, directs OSA to calculate the transfer amount and assess any future unfunded liability, assigns implementation duties to DRS, OSA, the Pension Funding Council, the State Investment Board, and the Treasurer, and requires two SCPP studies on LEOFF 1 medical benefits and policy oversight. OSA’s actuary estimated the transfer to the surplus holding account at about $3.9 billion under current assumptions and said the bill increases the modeled chance of future state contributions if the restated plan falls below 100% funded; members asked about IRS timing, the 2029 transfer date, and whether the 110% buffer is sufficient. The committee also received an update on the LEOFF 1 medical benefits study required by the bill. Staff said the study will examine the administration of pension boards and medical liabilities, likely focusing on medical benefits, and will gather anonymized data from local boards, cities, counties, and related agencies over the next three years. Members and public commenters discussed the number and structure of local boards, whether spouses receive medical benefits, and the possibility of regionalizing or consolidating administration. No action was taken, but staff said they would return with milestones and further updates. Finally, staff outlined a possible Plan 3 study, prompted by DRS, to evaluate whether the original goals of Plan 3 have been met after 30 years. The proposed study would review historical context, member choice outcomes, policy questions, and possible recommendations over a two-year period. The committee also heard an update on new correspondence procedures, including a new online web form, a correspondence log in meeting packets, and removal of correspondence from the public website. During public comment, retiree groups urged the committee to pursue an ongoing COLA for PERS and TRS Plan 1, with interim ad hoc COLAs until then, while LEOFF 1 retirees urged caution about changing the current board structure and emphasized the complexity of medical benefit administration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Majority Leader Aguiar-Curry moves and Ms.
• Madam Majority Leader. There is a message from the Senate at the desk.
• Madam Majority Leader. There's a message from the Senate at the desk.
• Majority Leader Aguar Curry moves, and Ms.
• Majority Leader Aguar Curry moves, and Ms.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Majority Leader Aguiar-Curry moves, and Ms.
• Okay, excuse me, Madam Majority Leader, you are recognized. Mr.
• The Majority Leader is asking for a no vote. All members vote. Mr.
• The Majority Leader is asking for a no vote. All members vote who desire to vote.
• Madam Majority Leader, you are recognized.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The commission would be tasked with reviewing and approving any major sale, transfer, or conveyance of
• First, the vast majority of the 35,000 people that work in downtown Dallas are not allowed to vote in
• Even though they may spend the majority of their waking hours in downtown Dallas, most of them sleep
• We're doing better than most major American cities. been compared to our sub-market and we are within
• By an overwhelming majority, voters decided to disannex.

Bills: HB22, SB250, SB375, SB536, SB845, SB1633, SB1944, SB1957, SB2081, SB2137, SB2262, SB2299, SB2419, SB2452, SB2522, SB2549, SB2594, SB2605, SB2631, SB2639, SB2675, SB3029, SJR60, HB22, HB1392, HB2525

Keywords: emergency communication, broadband, funding, natural disasters, technology, HB 22, Texas broadband development office, comptroller, emergency communications, early warning systems, disaster alerts, natural disaster notifications, interoperable communications, interoperable emergency radio, public safety communications, 9-1-1, next generation 9-1-1, NG911, broadband grants, low-interest loans

Transcript Highlights:

• French effort to build an Isthmus Canal, and America's triumphant completion of that canal, we have major
• I think my time has expired, but I think my major point is: let's be a big maritime powerhouse.
• It's invested in 129 ports in dozens of countries and runs a majority of 17 ports.
• We've seen settlements go up with the major carriers. We've seen a lot more.
• The Panamanian flag is one of their major sources of revenue.

Transcript Highlights:

• committee held a hearing on the 2024 business plan, and since then the authority has gone through major
• Both of these moves mark a major acceleration toward track installation.
• Both of these moves mark a major acceleration toward track installation later this year.
• Both of these moves mark a major acceleration toward track installation later this year.
• If you turn to page two, I wanted to focus on a few of the major features of the business plan.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee held an informational hearing on the California High-Speed Rail Authority’s 2026 draft business plan, with testimony from the authority, the Legislative Analyst’s Office, and the High-Speed Rail Inspector General. Chair Cortese framed the hearing around the project’s recent changes: a new CEO, revised delivery strategy, loss of federal funds, renewed interest in private financing and value capture, and proposed adjustments to the Merced-to-Bakersfield segment. He also raised concerns about statutory compliance, transparency, and whether the draft plan fully reflects required elements and true costs and timelines. Authority CEO Ian Chaudhry said the project has made substantial construction progress in the Central Valley and is moving toward track installation, with the state’s $1 billion annual cap-and-invest funding providing a stable base. He argued the plan uses design optimization, direct procurement of materials, and revised sequencing to reduce costs and support an early operating segment by about 2032-33. He also promoted broader commercialization of the corridor through real estate, energy, broadband, logistics, and public-private partnerships, saying private sector interest is now real. Several senators pressed him on station locations, tax increment financing, utility relocation authority, permitting delays, transparency, and whether the project can realistically reach Los Angeles and San Francisco on the current timeline and budget. The LAO and Inspector General were more skeptical. LAO analyst Helen Kirstine said the draft plan assumes major scope changes, including a shorter segment, a Merced station outside downtown, more single-tracking, and several statutory changes that have not yet been enacted. She warned that the plan may not comply with recent legislative requirements, that funding may still be insufficient even for the reduced segment, and that borrowing against future cap-and-invest revenues is risky because those revenues are uncertain and volatile. Inspector General Ben Belknap said the draft plan fails to comply with newer statutory requirements, especially regarding the Merced-to-Bakersfield scope, the funding plan, and missing procurement milestone dates. He said the presentation obscures cost increases and schedule delays and limits the Legislature’s ability to compare current estimates with prior reports. Committee members generally supported continued oversight and some form of project delivery reform, but several expressed concern that the plan relies on legislative changes that have not been approved and on private financing that may not materialize. Chaudhry said the authority would address the Inspector General’s findings in the final business plan and continue to pursue federal grants, private capital, and corridor commercialization. No vote was taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• That motion is seconded by Assistant Majority Leader Garcia.
• Madam Majority Leader, you may continue. Mr.
• I rise to present Senate Bill 827 on behalf of Majority Leader Gonzalez.
• Madam Majority Leader, you are recognized.
• Madam Majority Leader, you are recognized.

Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum, offered prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through a long floor file with many Senate bills. Early procedural actions included unanimous-consent motions, a successful roll-call to rescind prior action on SB 351, and a 54-vote suspension of Joint Rule 61(a)(3) to allow floor amendments on SBs 80, 351, and 415. The chamber also made several referrals, moved one item to the inactive file, and welcomed new Assembly Member Natasha Johnson and other guests. The bulk of the meeting consisted of concurrence and third-reading votes on a wide range of measures, many of them passing with little or no opposition. Topics included tribal gaming grants (AB 221), State Bar fee and bar exam changes (SB 253), AI guardrails in community colleges (SB 241), consumer arbitration clauses (SB 82), due process for law enforcement in Racial Justice Act cases (SB 734), dental payment fee disclosures (SB 386), HOA balcony inspection reports (SB 410), farmland protection and EIFD rules (SB 5 and SB 516), emergency shelter zoning (SB 340), HIV confidentiality (SB 504), election signature-cure reforms (SB 3), contractor workers’ compensation compliance (SB 291), fire training funding (SB 345), wage theft enforcement (SB 355 and SB 261), food allergen disclosures (SB 68), ride-share insurance coverage (SB 371), housing and disaster recovery measures (SB 233, SB 625, SB 21), midwifery education (SB 520), mobile home insurance access (SB 525), epinephrine in schools (SB 568), health facility emergency licensing (SB 582), hair relaxer enforcement (SB 236), wastewater surveillance (SB 317), and several tax, transportation, and public health bills. A number of bills drew brief policy debate or opposition. SB 388, creating a California Latino Commission, prompted criticism from some members who argued the money should go directly to community needs rather than a new commission; it still passed. SB 50 on digital safety for victims of abuse, SB 20 on silicosis prevention, SB 306 on prior authorization reform, SB 373 on oversight of out-of-state special education placements, and SB 437 on reparations descendant-status verification were among the more substantive and discussed measures. Most bills passed by wide margins, often unanimously, and several urgency or tax-levy measures required 54 votes and were approved. The session ended with continued passage of remaining file items and multiple items retained or passed temporarily for later action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome, Majority Leader. Thank you. Welcome, Majority Leader. You may begin when you're ready.
• I am grateful to the Majority Leader to bring this forth.
• I am grateful to the Majority Leader to bring this forth.
• The Majority Leader mentioned an Alabama case.
• Thank you, Majority Leader, for being with us this afternoon.

Bills: AB52, AB76, AB163, AB388, AB483

Keywords: health insurance, claims process, insurance regulation, admin penalties, healthcare access, cannabis, cannabis establishment, medical cannabis, adult-use cannabis, advertising regulations, packaging requirements, unlicensed cannabis activities, state prosecution, confidentiality, Cannabis Compliance Board, disciplinary proceedings, mental health, counseling, interstate practice, telehealth

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> If the majority has been... THEY ARE THE ONES THAT HAVE BEEN PUBLICLY DISCUSSED.
• >> IF THE MAJORITY HAS BEEN "Presented with any specific language yet regarding the changes to
• And really, no progress being seen, none that's been conveyed by the majorities here.
• , major concerns over The rising cost of utilities in this state, the impact of the CLCPA on those costs
• , concerns of rising insurance rates, which is another one of the major issues holding up the budget

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior day’s journal, and then took up several bills on the calendar. Measures passed included an Executive Law bill on Calendar 370, a Public Housing Law bill by Senator May, an Executive Law bill by Senator Skoufis, a Penal Law bill by Senator Skoufis, a Civil Rights Law bill by Senator Gounardes, a Social Services Law bill by Senator Addabbo, and a Public Health Law bill by Senator Baskin. One bill on Calendar 600 drew floor remarks from Senator Rhoads, who argued it represented state overreach into local code enforcement and raised home rule and constitutional concerns; despite those objections, the bill passed with a recorded negative vote list. Another bill on Calendar 610 also passed without noted debate, and several measures were adopted by 52-0 style roll calls. The chamber then received amendments to several third-reading bills and convened the Rules Committee, which reported and had accepted a government support bill. The Senate also took up a supplemental appropriations bill, identified as a budget extender, after accepting a message of necessity and appropriation. Senator O’Mara questioned the sponsor about the extender, which added $3.4 billion to prior extensions for a cumulative $7.4 billion, was described as predominantly Medicaid spending with some funds for salaries and services, and would carry the state only until Thursday. O’Mara criticized the lack of progress on the remaining budget bills, the limited transparency around unresolved issues, and the absence of a message of necessity in advance. During the budget discussion, the sponsor said the holdup involved publicly discussed non-budgetary issues, noted that no specific CLCPA language had been presented as a full bill, and said there were no table targets or conference committee schedules yet. After debate closed, the Senate restored the extender to the non-controversial calendar, passed it, and then adjourned until Wednesday, April 15 at 3:00 p.m., with intervening days designated as legislative days.

Transcript Highlights:

• The ones we're going to be dealing with today are represented by Superhero Cane, who is here, and Majority
• Representative Majority Leader Lawson, you are recognized to explain your bill, Senate Bill 1796.
• Majority Leader Lawson, I abstain. Thank you, Chairman. Thank you, members.
• Representative Lawson, Majority Leader, you are recognized to explain Senate Bill 1806.
• That Majority Leader Lawson and I are interested in post-21 services and try to evaluate that.

Bills: SB1558, SB1983, SB1796, SB1806, SB1426, SB633

Keywords: child care, licensing, definitions, foster care, child welfare, SB1983, resource family partner, resource family partners, Department of Human Services, DHS, foster homes, foster children, placement data, data sharing, de-identified data, aggregated data, sibling groups, placement disruptions, foster parent recruitment, foster parent retention

Transcript Highlights:

• I will uh, Madam Majority Leader, anything? Nope. All right.
• Majority Leader Moi consider the reading of the bills.
• the pro forma session uh here and present the senator Maryland remains in session recognizing the majority
• session the senator Maryland remains in session recognizing<00:03:53.440> the<00:03:53.599> majority
• recognizing the majority leader. recognizing the majority leader.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Friday, January 16, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate held a brief pro forma session, waived reading of the prior journal, and received the first calendar item, Senate Bill 246, which was referred to the appropriate standing committee. The chamber also announced several committee reassignments under Rule 33D. The reassignments included Senate Bill 18, concerning the State Board of Social Work Examiners, moved to Finance; Senate Bill 42, relating to reduction in facilities and veteran service organizations, moved to Judicial Proceedings; Senate Bill 106, the vehicle emissions inspection program repeal, moved to Judicial Proceedings; Senate Bill 119, the State Board of Environmental Health Specialist sunset extension, moved to Finance; and Senate Bill 186, concerning optometry examination requirements, moved to Finance. The presiding officer noted the reassignment process and joked that the chief of staff had a 98% accuracy rate on initial committee assignments. No substantive debate or votes on legislation occurred. The Senate thanked the pages for their service, held a quorum call for the pro forma session, and then adjourned without objection until Monday, January 19th at 8:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Wheelers and cargo and running on our major highways.
• So broadly, the majority, the vast majority, of Waymo's trips that were in progress during that blackout
• And the majority of Jews...
• You have the majority of Jews in the United States expressing their support for it, and the majority
• I'm a double major, but the one relevant to this discussion is that I am a major in German.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 90% of the seafood, creating major 90% of the seafood, creating major supply<00:35:15.680> chain
• So you have the majority of state.
• Um in fact we apply to a vast majority.
• So, um, sort of north central Oahu from Waiawa to Wahiawa is one major hotspot where the vast majority
• Um the vast majority across the state.

Bills: SB2350, SB2349, SB2407, SB3320

Keywords: agriculture, aquaculture, livestock, agribusiness, Department of Agriculture, regulatory functions, employee benefits, restorative practices, sustainability, environmental stewardship, local food systems, Native Hawaiian, workforce development, agricultural development, Hawaii Island, property manager, state employment, SB3320, Hawaii, Agribusiness Development Corporation

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SP 2350, which would transfer oversight of the Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Development Division and the aquaculture and livestock support services branch to the Agribusiness Development Corporation. The Department of Agriculture and ADC both testified, with ADC opposing the bill as written while supporting the goal of strengthening agriculture. ADC said the transfer could create federal operational and coordination risks, jeopardize federal funding and program continuity, and was unnecessary because ADC is a business development entity, not a regulatory agency. The Hawaii Farmers Union also expressed concern that moving the programs could weaken the department’s ability to access federal resources, while the Hawaii Farm Bureau submitted written testimony and the Hawaii Aquaculture and Aquaponics Association and H-Plan were noted as supporting the measure; the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council was noted as opposing it. Much of the discussion focused on aquaculture’s economic potential and the role of regulation, permitting, and funding. Committee members questioned why aquaculture had not grown faster, citing current gross revenues of about $66 million last year, a prior high of $82 million, and a possible long-term target of $500 million. Testimony identified permitting and feed costs as major barriers, along with market conditions and water quality issues affecting producers. ADC described ongoing efforts on feed development, permitting streamlining, coastal-state collaboration on seaweed and restorative aquaculture, and national advocacy for more parity in seafood import standards. Members also pressed the Department of Agriculture on its leadership and priorities, criticizing the lack of bills and resources dedicated to aquaculture and asking whether the department should have more authority to pursue land purchases and development opportunities. The department said it relies on divisions and industry feedback for bill ideas, noted it funds an annual aquaculture survey, and said it was pursuing congressional earmarks and other funding for aquaculture parks, research, and export/import issues. ADC said it would work with the department if the bill passed, but that its current statute does not give it regulatory authority and any such change would require a statutory amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• in both 2025 and 6 in all of the major in both 2025 and 6 in all of the major price<00:08:01.960
• or soon to be implemented from major or soon to be implemented from major trading<00:09:22.079><
• funding in the wake of a major funding in the wake of a major unexpected<00:37:49.480> drop
• Tom's question the won't have major Tom's question the major<01:09:47.000> revisions<01:09:47.440
• I'm the Senate Majority Leader.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:28:11.600> Leader<02:28:12.000> Duran, Majority Leader Duran, Majority Leader Duran
• and Madame Majority Leader. and Madame Majority Leader.
• And Madam Majority Leader, Assistant Majority Leader Bacon, >> Thank you all. And Mr.
• <04:31:46.319> Majority 17, 2026. Announcements. Mr. Majority 17, 2026. Announcements.
• Majority Leader. Leader. Leader.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Nichols: ...the only way to get on top of this is by making a major change.
• That's where, if you look at our incidents, that's where the majority of that is.
• Speaker: ...going to see some major changes, and I'd like that to filter down.
• The vast majority though are... Chair: ...the vast majority, though, are National Guard.
• TDCJ has been a major contributor to the state of Texas.

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the vast majority. the vast majority.
• Um, it's on a major road.
• Um, it's on a major road.
• Um, it's on a major road.
• Um, it's on a major road.

Keywords: 1189, house, all