Transcript Highlights:

• And pursuant to Senate Rule 29.10(c), the following bill is referred to the Committee on Rules: File
• She was approved by the Rules Committee on June 3rd. I respectfully request an aye vote.
• The Rules Committee approved her reappointment on June 3rd, on a 5-0 vote.
• I rise to request that Joint Rule 62A be suspended to allow the Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review
• I would like to move that Joint Rule 62A be suspended to allow the Committee on Judiciary to hold an

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee on Rules.
• And pursuant to Senate Rule 29.10(c), the following bills are referred to the Committee on Rules: File
• She was approved by the Rules Committee on April 15th and a five- Mr.
• She was approved by the Rules Committee on a 5-0 vote on April 15th.
• Our Senate rules require members of the Senate Committee on Rules to be elected by this body.

Summary: The Senate met with a quorum present, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then proceeded through appointments, resolutions, and bills. Governor’s appointments for Dina Eltawasi as Caltrans Director, Allison Salt Install to the Court Reporters Board, Olivia May Assumption to the California Commission on Disability Access, and William Adams to the California Exposition and State Fair Board were presented and later confirmed after roll calls and lifting of calls. The chamber also took up several third-reading measures and resolutions, including SCR 143 honoring Hmong and Laotian special guerrilla unit veterans, SR 96 recognizing National County Government Month, SB 1347 clarifying stocking of albuterol in public schools, SB 977 requiring chain restaurants to offer at least one healthier children’s meal, SB 1234 requiring fentanyl testing when juvenile dependency drug testing is ordered, SCR 161 designating Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month, SR 101 replacing Senator Jones on the Rules Committee with Senator Ochoa Bogh, SB 1111 addressing liability for unauthorized AI-generated digital replicas, and SCR 128 establishing High School Voter Education Weeks. Each of these measures was presented by the author, generally received supportive remarks, and passed by roll call, with calls later lifted and the votes confirmed. During debate, Senator Umberg emphasized the long-overdue recognition of Hmong and Laotian veterans who served in covert missions during the Vietnam era, and Senator Archuleta echoed that tribute on behalf of the Military and Veterans Committee. Senator Cortese and Senator McGuire spoke in support of SR 96, highlighting the role of counties in delivering public services and warning about the impact of federal cuts on health and human services. Senator Niello described SB 1347 as a cleanup measure extending existing albuterol stocking authority to all public schools, including preschool. Senator Weber Pearson argued SB 977 would improve children’s nutrition options at chain restaurants, while Senator Alvarado-Gil said SB 1234 would help keep fentanyl out of homes by ensuring court-ordered drug testing includes fentanyl. Senator Weber Pearson also presented SCR 161 on maternal mental health, citing high rates of pregnancy-related depression and anxiety and barriers to care. Senator Ashby presented SR 101 and SB 1111, the latter aimed at unauthorized AI-generated voice and likeness replicas, and Senator Pérez presented SCR 128 to encourage voter education for high school students. After the floor actions, the Senate adopted the consent calendar, with Senator Cervantes removing SB 1381 from consent. Committee announcements followed, including upcoming Budget Subcommittee meetings. The session concluded with Senator Wiener’s adjournment in memory of disability rights activist Alice Wong, whose advocacy and writing were remembered by the chamber. The Senate announced its next floor session for Monday, May 4, 2026, at 2 p.m., and then recessed until later that afternoon for adjournment proceedings.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, we judges talk a lot about... what we do to defend the rule of law, and rightfully so.
• Sometimes judges are the rule of law's last... line of defense.
• But the front lines in the battle for the rule of law are not courtrooms.
• And that is not the rule of law. It sounds much more like the rule... judges.
• I've asked the court's advisory committee to recommend rules to eliminate this rotation. docket, sometimes

Bills: SB26 , SB28 , SJR36 , SB26 , SB616 , SB565 , SB384 , SB28

Keywords: teacher compensation, education funding, public school educators, teacher retention, teacher designation, lottery, gambling, internet gaming, mobile application, criminal offenses, aquifer, water management, Edwards Aquifer, sustainability, regulatory framework, SB 565, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, compliance agreement

Transcript Highlights:

• He was approved by the Rules Committee on January 14. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.
• He was approved by the Rules Committee on January 14th. I respectfully asked for an aye vote.
• She was approved by the Rules Committee on January 14th. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.
• Moved by the Rules Committee on January 14th, I respectfully ask for an aye vote. No mics up.
• Committee to the Senate floor pursuant to Senate Rule 28 and for it to be taken up without reference

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Be it resolved by the Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration of the House of Representatives
• It's not clear yet because federal rules state rules. They exceed state rules.
• paid family rules.
• It was sent to my committee. It needs to be in Chair Quam's committee.
• I can't compete with that, but the Rules Committee will be meeting 30 minutes after session in Capital

Transcript Highlights:

• The Chair will, is about to enumerate those measures in making a ruling. Okay.
• the ruling of the Chair, it be taken by call of the A's and A's.
• The question that will be before the body is, shall the ruling of the Chair stand?
• To recap, the ruling of the Chair stands and the ten amendments previously read are being ruled out of
• Pursuant to Senate Rule 57D, 57D. Do this now? Okay.

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you to the committee for your time.
• Thank you, Chair Chan, Chair Payano, and members of the committee.
• We strongly urge this committee to give S. 237 a favorable report.
• Good morning, Chairs, Vice Chairs, members of the committee.
• Comments to your committee.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills, with the longest discussion focused on House Bill 426 and Senate Bill 263, which would prohibit the sale in Massachusetts of cosmetics known to rely on vertebrate animal testing. Supporters from Animal Defenders International, Humane World for Animals, and the Animal Rescue League said animal testing is cruel, outdated, and unreliable, and pointed to non-animal alternatives and similar laws in other states and countries. No opposition was heard on that bill during the excerpt, and witnesses urged the committee to report it favorably. The committee also took testimony on House Bill 4543, which would clarify an existing pipe-fitting exemption for certain work performed on property owned by industrial plants, utilities, colleges, and similar institutions. A representative for Construction Industries of Massachusetts supported the bill, saying it would preserve longstanding practice for outside contractors doing yard piping work. Pipefitters Local 537 opposed it, arguing the work is properly licensed pipefitting and that the bill would weaken licensing standards and undermine state inspectors. Another major topic was Senate Bill 237 on regulating self-checkouts in grocery establishments. The Mass AFL-CIO and UFCW Local 1445 supported the bill, saying self-checkout has reduced staffing, increased worker stress and customer conflict, and contributed to theft and safety problems. Workers described being responsible for multiple machines at once, verbal abuse, and even assaults, and said the bill’s staffing and machine limits would improve safety and customer service. The committee also heard extensive testimony on House Bill 355, which would allow veterinarians to establish a client-patient relationship via telehealth; ASPCA, MSPCA, and several veterinarians supported it as a way to expand access to care, while the Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Association and several veterinarians opposed it, arguing that an in-person exam is essential for proper diagnosis and that telemedicine should only follow an in-person VCPR. Finally, the committee heard testimony on House Bill 330, Senate Bill 221, and House Bill 371, which would preempt local boards of health from adopting tobacco-related age or sales restrictions beyond the statewide standard. Public health advocates opposed the bills, arguing they would block local innovation and undermine nicotine-free generation policies adopted by municipalities, while retailers and tobacco trade groups supported them as necessary to preserve a uniform statewide age-21 standard and avoid confusion for consumers and businesses. No votes or final actions were taken during the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, Tim Fleming, the Rule of Attorney Office.
• Members, Tim Fleming, the Rule of Attorney Office.
• We've served here on this committee now, the whole session.
• I mean, we're here sitting in the Rules Committee without an agenda.
• to rules.

Summary: The committee considered a mass motion finding Senate Bills 1110 and 1618 and Senate Concurrent Resolution 1004 constitutional and in proper form. Staff from the Rule of Attorney Office explained that SB 1110 concerns home confinement eligibility and electronic monitoring, SB 1618 concerns the Military Affairs Commission, and SCR 1004 concerns photo enforcement systems voter approval. They stated all three measures had been reviewed and were in proper form. During discussion, one member objected to the process, criticizing the lack of a posted agenda and the rapid sequence of recesses and caucuses. Another member responded that the bills had been public for months, had already received multiple readings and committee hearings in both chambers, and had been fully vetted with public testimony. The member also said the absence of a joint caucus was due to the other side’s preference. After comments ended, the committee voted on the motion. The roll call resulted in seven ayes and one absent, and the committee recommended the measures as constitutional and in proper form. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, we, your Committee on Judiciary, Rules and Administration, report that we have read and approved
• House Concurrent Resolution Number 20 was referred to the Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee
• In the House of Representatives, House Bill 489 by the Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee:
• House Bill 490 by the Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee: an act relating to reckless driving
• House Bill 492 by the Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee: an act relating to the Peace Officer

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It was interesting in committee.
• It was interesting in committee.
• I'm just trying to follow what I heard in the Rules Committee. I apologize.
• I'm just trying to follow what I heard in the Rules Committee. I apologize.
• In the Rules Committee. I apologize. Okay, I'll look it up. Thank you. Thank you.

Summary: The meeting covered a very large number of bills across multiple committees, with most items presented on consent calendars and several sponsors explaining their measures. Education bills focused on moving statewide testing later in the school year, allowing paper testing by local choice, increasing transparency around district administrator pay, expanding religious excusal policies, creating a school fitness recognition program, and sending a resolution to voters to require sex-based designation of school sports teams and private spaces. Federalism and Government items included bans on foreign contributions to ballot-measure committees, a proposed ballot measure to eliminate voting centers and return to precinct-based voting, memorials urging withdrawal from the United Nations and the IMF, penalties for late agency financial reporting, restrictions on state contracts with China, and a bill limiting use of ADS-B aviation data for fee collection. Commerce bills addressed digital goods disclosure, child influencer trust accounts, liability for river outfitters, marketplace contractor termination rights, utility submetering charges, unemployment eligibility checks, and association-based health plans. Health and human services measures included lactation consultant certification and Medicaid breastfeeding support, a ban on gender transition procedures for minors, a requirement that chief medical officers hold active licenses, technical ambulance definitions, a SNAP waiver request to restrict non-eligible food purchases, hospital collection of patient immigration status, and enrollment verification for AHCCCS-related hospital presumptive eligibility. Judiciary bills included consent-verification requirements for online sexual material, a civil cause of action for DEI policy violations, hate-crime-style enhancements that also cover political affiliation, name-change disclosure rules for sex offenders, penalties for possession of falsified commercial driver’s licenses by unlawfully present persons, penalties for mailing abortion-inducing drugs, speed-inhibiting devices as an alternative to license suspension, longer transition services for inmates, stronger penalties for sexual extortion of minors, and legislative oversight of state shooting range closures. Natural resources and water bills dealt with brackish groundwater recovery and desalination studies, water augmentation authority financing, HOA drought-year watering restrictions, water-rate parity for customers outside city limits, and groundwater transportation from the McMullen Valley basin. Other topics included a ban on PFAS firefighting foam, restrictions on vaccine and mask mandates by governments and businesses, protections against employment or service discrimination based on medical interventions, elimination of long-vacant state positions, consumer protections against device disabling after owner modifications, and restrictions on Chinese-made critical infrastructure. The committee also heard a Space Commission update bill and a continuation of the Arizona Beef Council. Several bills were pulled from consent or flagged for amendments or legal concerns, including the testing-window bill, student directory information bill, river outfitter liability bill, ambulance bill, and others. No final floor votes were taken in the transcript, but many bills were advanced on third-read or consent calendars, while a few were set aside for amendments or further discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee announcements: Rules Committee will meet upon recess of the floor, so as soon as I hit the
• Committee announcements: Rules Committee will meet upon recess of the floor, so as soon as I hit the
• The Committee on Rules reports to recommend SB 1488 receive a do pass recommendation. Excellent.
• The Committee on Rules recommends the following bill be proper for consideration: SB 1752. Mr.
• Committee announcements for Monday, March 16th: Rules will meet at 1:00 p.m. in Caucus Room 1.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• support the entire committee.
• Committee drawers on the other side of those lights right there are committee drawers.
• If you've been on the Labor Committee in the past, you've received a copy of our law and rule book and
• </c><03:51:19.800><c> are</c><03:51:20.000><c> more</c> the rules so that the rules are more the rules
• the rules.

Committee: House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• January 28, 2006, the Judiciary and Rules Committee reports that the Senate Journal, the proceedings
• January 28, 2006, the Judiciary and Rules Committee reports that Senate Concurrent Resolution 115, Senate
• Senate Bills 1232 and 1233 will both be referred to the Judiciary and Rules Committee, while Senate Bill
• thereto will be referred to the Judiciary and Rules Committee for printing.
• thereto will be referred to the Judiciary and Rules Committee for printing.

Summary: The Senate convened with 33 members present and a quorum established. After prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the corrected journal, the body received committee reports on several gubernatorial appointments and printed bills. Those appointments included Brian Skigliano and another Human Rights Commission appointee, Gregory Donica, Nora Carpenter, and Salvador Cruz for the Health Insurance Exchange Board and Department of Finance, and Clayton Steele for the Board of Environmental Quality; all were referred to the 10th order and held for one legislative day. The Senate also received first reading of Senate Bills 1235, 1236, and 1237, which were referred to the Judiciary and Rules Committee, and second reading of Senate Bill 1222, which was sent to third reading. The Senate then resolved into the Committee of the Whole to consider Senate Bill 1225, which had one amendment. Members adopted amendments narrowing the bill’s 10-business-day public disclosure requirement for a sole finalist name so it applies only to presidential searches at colleges and universities, while removing broader application to other searches and making a clerical title correction. The committee then reported Senate Bill 1225 back to the Senate as amended without recommendation, and the report was adopted; the bill and amendments were referred to Judiciary and Rules for engrossing and printing. During miscellaneous business, senators announced a nuclear energy caucus luncheon, a Friday ceremony for the Liberty Bell’s removal for restoration, and caucus meetings for both minority and majority members after adjournment. The Senate then adjourned until 10:30 a.m. the following day.

Transcript Highlights:

• This final rule is different.
• The rule also requires enhancements to prior authorization.
• This final rule is different.
• The rule also requires enhancements to prior authorization.
• The rule also requires enhancements to prior authorization.

Summary: The subcommittee heard a lengthy Department of Health Care Services presentation on the governor’s Medi-Cal budget, including a $229.1 billion total-funds proposal, projected Medi-Cal enrollment declines as redeterminations continue, and several major cost drivers such as managed care growth, Medicare-related costs, pharmacy spending, and changes tied to federal policy. Members focused heavily on the elimination of Prop. 56 dental supplemental payments beginning July 1, 2026, questioning the likely impact on provider participation and utilization. DHCS said it is completing the required rate reduction/access analysis for CMS, has been holding stakeholder meetings and issuing provider bulletins, but could not yet quantify the real-world effect. The committee also discussed a $50 million savings proposal tied to new hospice utilization management authority and asked about possible effects on emergency dental care and provider participation. The hearing then moved through the November 2025 family health estimate and several county and program administration issues, including CCS, GHPP, and Every Woman Counts. DHCS said family health costs are rising despite slight caseload declines because of higher utilization and medical costs, and members raised concerns about CCS website accessibility, county administrative funding, and the transition of youth aging out of CCS. The department said most CCS beneficiaries are also on Medi-Cal, that counties have long raised funding concerns, and that it had clarified use of maintenance-and-operations dollars to address some county workload issues. Members also asked about Every Woman Counts potentially seeing higher demand as Medi-Cal changes take effect; DHCS said that is possible and that the program has multiple funding sources including General Fund. A major portion of the hearing focused on provider taxes and federal changes under H.R. 1, especially the Medi-Cal managed care organization tax and the hospital quality assurance fee. DHCS explained that H.R. 1 restricts new or increased health care-related taxes, phases down allowable tax levels over time, and tightens “generally redistributive” rules, which could sharply reduce the state’s ability to use the MCO tax for Medi-Cal financing. Members asked whether the Legislature could amend Prop. 35 or whether voters would need to act; DHCS said a three-fourths legislative amendment may be possible if it aligns with the measure’s purpose, but the department is still evaluating options. The committee also discussed hospital financing, with DHCS describing recent increases in state-directed payments and the effect of H.R. 1 in capping those payments at Medicare levels, and the LAO noting the tradeoff between preserving provider taxes and maintaining Medi-Cal funding. The subcommittee also reviewed a series of DHCS budget change proposals and trailer bill items, including managed care final-rule implementation, managed care operations, a hospital value strategy, a one-year extension of skilled nursing facility financing, long-term care payment transparency, and interoperability/prior authorization requirements. Members repeatedly questioned the use of limited-term versus permanent positions, the overlap among proposals, and the timing of new financing reforms. DHCS said the SNF extension would preserve current workforce standards, sanctions, growth limits, and the SNF quality assurance fee while the department develops a broader 2027-28 redesign. No votes were taken; items were repeatedly held open for later action. Covered California then presented on the expiration of the federal enhanced premium tax credit and the resulting affordability crisis. The agency said Californians will lose about $2.5 billion in premium assistance for 2026, average premiums could nearly double for many enrollees, and as many as 400,000 people could eventually leave marketplace coverage. Open enrollment ended with 1.9 million sign-ups, down 3% from the prior year, with especially steep declines among middle-income consumers and increased movement into bronze plans. Covered California said the state’s $190 million affordability subsidy is helping lower-income enrollees retain coverage, but cannot fully replace the lost federal assistance. Members also asked about the Health Care Affordability Reserve Fund, repayment of loans from that fund, the status of federal review of California’s essential health benefits benchmark, and implementation of the new gender-affirming care benefit under AB 144.

Transcript Highlights:

• Whether it was a policy committee, rules committee, fiscal review committee, I would pick the...
• Whether it was a policy committee, rules committee, fiscal review committee, I would pick this exact
• You know, this will probably be my last time chairing the rules committee.
• The Committee of Rules Legislative Review, or your Legislative Rules Committee, will now come to order
• With no further business before the committee, your Committee on Rules is now adjourned.

Committee: House Rules - Legislative

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Under Rule 30, the message from Her Excellency the Governor will be referred to the Committee on Bonding
• Under Rule 30, the message from Her Excellency the Governor will be referred to the Committee on Public
• Report of Committee.
• The Committee on Rules reports recommending that the resolutions filed by Representative Badger of Plymouth
• Report of Committee.

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have other committees going at this same time, so we're going to go ahead and start and open the Committee
• Thank you, Vice Chair Campbell, and members of the committee.
• Chairman, Vice Chair, and esteemed members of the committee, good morning.
• Thank you so much, Madam Chair and committee members.
• You here on this committee.

Bills: HB126 , HB121

Committee: Senate Education K-16

Keywords: election laws, attorney general, prosecution, criminal offenses, voting integrity, education, property values, school districts, comptroller, funding formula

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 met to hear testimony on a full agenda of education-related bills. Several measures were laid out and left pending, including HB 322 to allow JET Grant funds to be used for subscription-based and ongoing technology costs for career and technical education; HB 3062 to require fentanyl and drug-poisoning prevention instruction for entering college students; HB 121 to update school safety laws, including TEA peace officer commissions, annual renewal of certain safety exceptions, new reporting requirements, and special education behavior threat assessment changes; HB 3627 to let the State Board of Education chair employ staff; HB 5515 to curb inflated shipping and handling charges on instructional materials; HB 2674 to prohibit new state regulation of homeschool programs; HB 2310 to require a statewide strategic plan for early learning and inclusion for young children with disabilities; HB 367 to standardize documentation for excused absences due to serious illness; HB 1178 to speed certification for out-of-state educators and military spouses; and HB 1481 to expand cell phone restrictions to the full school day. Testimony was generally supportive on most bills, with some concerns raised on HB 121 about school district police departments investigating misconduct and on HB 2674 about how it would interact with the new ESA program in SB 2. HB 5515 drew support from instructional materials coordinators who described extreme shipping invoices and argued the bill would restore transparency and fiscal responsibility. HB 2310 was supported by disability advocates and early learning groups, who said a coordinated state plan would improve access and inclusion for children with disabilities. HB 367 was presented as a simple clarification to reduce confusion for medically vulnerable students and families, and HB 1178 was described by TEA as a modest pathway that would help bring experienced out-of-state teachers into Texas schools more quickly. HB 126, updating Texas’ NIL law to align with the pending House settlement and allow direct payments and pre-enrollment NIL agreements, received extensive testimony from university counsel and committee questioning about the settlement, recruiting, and future college athletics rules. HB 1481, expanding school cell phone restrictions from instructional time to the entire school day, drew strong support from parents, students, educators, and advocates who linked phones to distraction, cyberbullying, and mental health harms; one teacher asked for flexibility so phones could still be used for limited academic tasks. No bills were voted out; each measure heard was left pending subject to the call of the chair, and the committee then recessed to attend the floor session.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:28.400><c> committee</c> absent a future Senate rules committee absent a future Senate rules
• Um there is some the rules committee.
• </c><00:04:57.040><c> some</c> rules committee to make um some rules committee to make um some decisions
• to</c><00:05:06.880><c> take</c> rules committee would need to take rules committee would need to take
• </c><00:33:57.519><c> on</c><00:33:57.679><c> rules</c> 10 provides that the committee on rules 10 provides

Committee: Senate Rules and Administration

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The committee on rules will now come to honor Cindy. Please call the Roll Chair Passadomo here.
• Thank you again to the numbers of the rules Committee, for your continued support for workforce housing
• But they had proposed the rule to the Supreme Court Supreme Court adopted their rule.
• A rule. Sorry, Florida Supreme Court rule.
• We did not ask this committee or I did not share this committee.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The committee shall deny applications for a certificate based on such findings as rulings may support
• </c> being on this committee? being on this committee?
• </c> I made a ruling on the matter. I made a ruling on the matter.
• </c> committee? No. committee? No. All<00:46:04.560><c> right.
• </c> rules and Department of Justice rules. rules and Department of Justice rules.

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Keywords: 1191, senate, all