Transcript Highlights:

• And members typically in JLAC, I think it is, we set the audit schedule, so we decide what order, what
• scholarships to universities and knowing that because of the ESAs they're able to study at home, adjust the schedule
• If we have really, really long meetings, I may even treat you to dinner, but please schedule your calendar

Bills: HB2352 , HB2388 , HB2418 , HB2499 , HB2500 , HB2579 , HB2584 , HB2804

Committees: House Appropriations , House House Appropriations Committee of Reference

Keywords: funding, auditor general, county treasurer, procedural reviews, state appropriations, HB2388, Arizona Commerce Authority, ACA, small modular reactor, SMR, nuclear energy, advanced nuclear, data center, data centers, economic development, study, appropriation, general fund, jobs, wages

Transcript Highlights:

• Abigail Bento is my new legislative assistant scheduler. Zack Tipton is from Washington College.
• And those members who have constituents scheduled to appear before the committee, you should have received
• Those with constituents scheduled to appear before the committee should have received their agendas already

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, heard an invocation from Reverend Carissa Serber, and journalized her remarks. Members then welcomed several guests and groups in the gallery, including Maryland Community Action Partnership advocates, Cecil College students and Dr. Mary Bolt, Cecil County Executive Adam Strait, the Maryland Association of Justice, Faith Baptist School students, and several interns and staff members. The chamber also introduced Senate Bill 585 and a bond initiative for the Active Achievers Youth Center, both of which were referred to the appropriate committees or subcommittees. The main floor debate centered on Senate Bill 255, the Voting Rights Act of 2026 for counties and municipal corporations. Senators questioned the bill’s scope, especially whether it would affect county commissioner election methods, who could bring suit, what “vote dilution” means, and whether the measure was tied to district maps or candidate filings. The sponsor explained that the bill creates a state framework for the federal Voting Rights Act, provides standing rather than a remedy, and applies when a protected class believes its vote has been diluted; political party was said not to be a protected class. The committee amendment was adopted without objection, and the amended bill was ordered printed for third reading. On third reading, Senate Bill 5 and Senate Bill 29 passed with constitutional majorities. Senate Bill 93 also passed. Senate Bill 141, dealing with election misinformation, disinformation, and deep fakes, was moved back to second reader for a technical amendment and then special ordered to Tuesday. The Senate also held a lighthearted recorded vote on Seahawks versus Patriots, with the Seahawks winning 28 to 8, and then received committee scheduling announcements for upcoming hearings and voting sessions.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have scheduled 45 minutes for them. So we're going to get started right away.
• We've not yet been able to get an actual call on the books due to schedules with a few of the states
• We are scheduled to complete the entire project in the first quarter of calendar year 2028.

Summary: The subcommittee heard budget presentations and questions from several health and human services agencies, with members repeatedly emphasizing that agency numbers had been posted since October and that questioning should stay focused and brief. The Office of Juvenile Affairs said its $5.45 million request would support 162 employees receiving a pay adjustment, and members asked about juvenile care conditions and staffing. The Department of Human Services discussed major changes to child care subsidy funding, including a reduced subsidy request, a $11.5 million child care teacher recruitment/retention request, and planned eligibility and reimbursement changes; it also reviewed SNAP administrative cost shifts under federal law, the state’s SNAP error rate, and the risk of large future state costs if the error rate is not reduced. DHS also addressed TANF reserves, the DDS waiver wait list, the Greer Center buildout, the Advantage waiver supplemental, and meal service options for waiver members. OCCY described a largely personnel-driven budget, requests for more oversight staff, and workload pressures in juvenile competency evaluations. The Office of Disability Concerns reported a flat budget and said it relies mainly on mediation and informal resolution rather than enforcement. OSU Medical Authority said its Tulsa expansion, VA skybridge, and c-section suites remain on schedule, that psychiatric residency funding is being phased in over several years, and that it is working to reduce contract labor and evaluate service lines. J.D. McCarty Center reported its new ABA outpatient clinic is on time and on budget and is nearing full capacity. OMMA said its lab is following required standards, its FTE count is below budgeted levels because hiring depends on lab accreditation and other unknowns, and dispensary numbers continue to decline as the market matures. Oklahoma Rehabilitation Services said it needs about $1.4 million to avoid a maintenance-of-effort penalty and discussed aging campus capital needs and staffing vacancies. The Oklahoma Health Care Authority then outlined a very large budget requirement driven by utilization growth and the shift to value-based care, saying FY26 is currently stable but FY27 would likely require additional appropriations if the request is not fully funded.

Transcript Highlights:

• state or any of its subdivisions subject to civil arbitration for any dollar amount prior to being scheduled
• forward with the trial, which in most cases, including in Spokane County, will have already been scheduled
• And the mandatory arbitration could be part of the case scheduling order.

Bills: SB6239 , SB6074 , SB5886 , SB6041 , SB6190

Committee: Senate Law & Justice

Keywords: tort claims, state liability, Washington law, government accountability, legal process, parole, criminal justice reform, felony, recidivism, rehabilitation, public safety, personality rights, right of publicity, publicity rights, name image likeness, NIL, deepfake, AI-generated content, digital impersonation, forged digital likeness

Transcript Highlights:

• or any of its subdivisions are subject to civil arbitration for any dollar amount prior to being scheduled
• forward with the trial, which in most cases, including in Spokane County, will have already been scheduled
• And the mandatory arbitration could be part of the case scheduling order.

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 6239, which would require civil arbitration for tort claims against the state and its subdivisions before trial. Staff explained current tort-claim procedures and said the bill would apply arbitration to claims of any dollar amount, with a fiscal note pending. The sponsor said Washington’s liability exposure is unusually high and argued the bill would promote early resolution without limiting jury trials, damage caps, or attorney fees. Members asked who pays for arbitration and whether trial rights are preserved; staff said costs are generally split and the bill preserves a jury trial de novo. Testimony on SB 6239 was sharply divided. Counties, cities, school districts, risk pools, and some public-safety groups supported the bill, saying rising liability and insurance costs are straining budgets and threatening core services. Opponents included trial lawyers, legal aid groups, victim advocates, journalists, and survivors of abuse, who argued the bill would create barriers to justice, delay relief, increase costs for claimants, reduce transparency, and retraumatize survivors by forcing private arbitration before a public trial. Several witnesses said the bill was too broad because it would cover employment, contract, and other claims, not just torts involving abuse or negligence. After public testimony closed, the committee noted the large number of sign-ins, with far more in opposition than in support. The committee then took up Senate Bill 6074, which would reinstate parole for certain felony offenses committed on or after July 1, 2027, allow eligible incarcerated people to petition the Indeterminate Sentence Review Board after serving 60% of their sentence, and create a parole implementation work group. Supporters said it would recognize rehabilitation and improve reentry, while some witnesses raised concerns about the bill’s prospective-only application, the 60% threshold, and the need to address racial disparities and parole criteria more fully. The sponsor said the parole bill was paired with tort-liability reform because criminal justice reform advocates have said liability changes are needed to restore parole in Washington.

Transcript Highlights:

• conclude our hearing prior to 1 p.m. today because we have a floor session at 1 p.m., but we are scheduled
• We're working around some significant scheduling limitations.
• And we're working around some significant scheduling limitations.

Committee: House Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• happen through third-party networks, without the provider's consent, and fall below the official fee schedule
• We have an update on the session schedule. We will be meeting Thursday.
• Update on the session schedule. We will be meeting Thursday.

Summary: The Assembly convened with a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through a long daily file of bills. Early procedural motions included a failed attempt to suspend the rules for AB 1219, followed by consideration of numerous measures on housing, veterans, education, elections, energy, wildfire prevention, public safety, and consumer affordability. Several bills drew bipartisan support and passed overwhelmingly, including AB 878 on safety accommodations for survivors of violence, AB 948 on school district facility maintenance, AB 81 and AB 88 on veterans’ mental health and student aid, AB 640 on school board fiscal training, AB 660 on housing permit timelines, AB 1048 on workers’ compensation billing disputes, AB 1119 on dual credentialing, AB 1172 on inhalable anti-seizure medication access, AB 1227 on wildfire prevention, AB 1285 and AB 696 on lithium-ion battery safety, AB 1417 on offshore wind transparency, AB 1530 on disaster recovery assistance, and AB 353 on affordable home internet. Some measures drew opposition or more divided votes, including AB 704 on sealing certain misdemeanor records, AB 1249 on early voting access, AB 1280 on thermal energy incentives, AB 1448 on offshore oil protections, AB 380 on price gouging, AB 402 on Cal Grant increases, AB 1074 on CalWORKs reunification, and AB 1084 on expedited gender-change and name-change court orders. The Assembly also granted reconsideration on AB 435, a child passenger safety bill, and passed it after debate on the five-step safety-seat standard. The floor debate featured recurring themes of affordability, housing, wildfire preparedness, election access, veterans’ services, and public safety. Supporters of the election bill AB 1249 argued it would simply add a Saturday early-voting option in non-VCA counties, while opponents raised concerns about verification and county staffing. AB 30, authorizing E15 gasoline in California, was presented as an urgency measure to lower fuel costs and passed unanimously on the urgency and the bill. AB 1466 on groundwater disputes was also taken up, with the author arguing it would reduce frivolous litigation and better represent all water users; the vote was 42 ayes and 17 noes. After completing the file, the Assembly recessed for lunch, later returned, and continued with additional file items, with many measures passing on strong bipartisan votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Moving on to announcements, session schedule is as follows.
• Session scheduled as follows: Friday, May 3rd. Please come to work on time.
• Session scheduled as follows: Friday, May 30th, no floor session, no check-in session.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through a long daily file with numerous guest introductions and recognitions, including tributes to outgoing University of California President Michael Drake, student and community advocates, and visitors connected to foster care, military appreciation, and college savings. The chamber also took up several procedural items, including concurrence in Senate amendments to ACR 75 on California Farm Week, which passed 59-0. Members then adopted AJR 7 on protecting federal special education funding and services for students with disabilities, with broad bipartisan support and a 65-0 vote after 63 co-authors were added. The Assembly also adopted ACR 82 recognizing Foster Care Month and ACR 85 recognizing 529 College Savings Day by voice vote after adding co-authors, and ACR 89 recognizing Military Appreciation Month, also adopted by voice vote after co-authors were added. These resolutions featured testimony and remarks emphasizing support for vulnerable children, foster youth, military families, and access to higher education. On policy bills, the Assembly passed AB 929 on groundwater and managed wetlands (41-14), AB 1026 on utility connection timelines for housing projects (52-0), AB 1332 on direct shipment of medicinal cannabis under specified conditions (55-0), AB 1356 on follow-up reporting in DHCS death investigations at treatment facilities (54-0), and AB 671 on streamlining restaurant openings through self-certification of certain plans (62-0). The chamber also approved AB 715 on anti-Semitism and school climate after extensive debate and cross-caucus support, 64-0, and AB 33 on autonomous vehicle deliveries requiring a human safety operator, 52-6. Later, AB 5 on election ballot-counting timelines passed 66-0, AB 27 and AB 28 addressing the Chiquita Canyon landfill disaster passed 61-0 and 44-6 respectively, and the Assembly began consideration of AB 43 to extend state authority over wild and scenic rivers.

Transcript Highlights:

• both sides of this aisle who either don't vaccinate or who adhere to what's known as an altered schedule
• I see Mark in the back and through the analysis of it, and then there's an implementation schedule.
• The implementation schedule would be two years out, and that would be moving from September 1, 2026,

Bills: SB801 , SB867 , SB2717 , SB2919 , HJR7 , HB4 , HB14 , HB27 , HB42 , HB46 , HB 100 , HB 111 , HB 112 , HB 121 , HB 126 , HB146 , HB186 , HB223 , HB229 , HB322 , HB367 , HB500 , HB521 , HB640 , HB705 , HB783 , HB 1052 , HB 1056 , HB 1105 , HB 1106 , HB 1178 , HB 1211 , HB 1234 , HB 1306 , HB1403 , HB1449 , HB1506 , HB1661 , HB1690 , HB1871 , HB1960 , HB2017 , HB2078 , HB2128 , HB2240 , HB2243 , HB2348 , HB2407 , HB2512 , HB2820 , HB2844 , HB2853 , HB2854 , HB2885 , HB3000 , HB3005 , HB3053 , HB3057 , HB3181 , HB3333 , HB3372 , HB3425 , HB3441 , HB3516 , HB3749 , HB3783 , HB3812 , HB3848 , HB3923 , HB3963 , HB4070 , HB4134 , HB4157 , HB4158 , HB4211 , HB4449 , HB4623 , HB4638 , HB4687 , HB4690 , HB4748 , HB4749 , HB4795 , HB4848 , HB5093 , HB5115 , HB5129 , HB5138 , HB5294 , HB5616 , HB5629 , HB5646 , HB5661 , HB5672 , HB5674 , HB5699 , HCR40 , SJR5 , SJR27 , SJR59 , SB4 , SB6 , SB8 , SB9 , SB10 , SB12 , SB22 , SB23 , SB25 , SB27 , SB34 , SB36 , SB37 , SB38 , SB40 , SB57 , SB140 , SB261 , SB293 , SB441 , SB447 , SB467 , SB512 , SB650 , SB777 , SB785 , SB924 , SB1188 , SB1281 , SB1318 , SB1333 , SB1398 , SB1448 , SB1566 , SB1579 , SB1621 , SB1723 , SB1838 , SB1862 , SB2167 , SB2405 , SB2406 , SB2407 , SB2878 , SB3059 , SB3070 , SB1 , SB17 , SB21 , SB260 , SB379 , SB509 , SB1198 , SB1405 , SB1506 , SB1637 , SB1833 , SB2155 , SB2308 , SB2601 , SB2778 , HB300 , HB2011 , HB2525 , HB5246 , SJR36 , SJR50 , SJR63 , SCR12 , SCR39 , SB2023 , SB62 , SB666 , SB847 , SB284 , SB854 , SB810 , SB1505 , SB583 , SB507 , SB1434 , SB1772 , SB2016 , SB1122 , SB731 , SB397 , SB508 , SB1436 , SB287 , SB1882 , SB393 , SB1791 , SB209 , SB2429 , SB1085 , SB1975 , SB2717 , SB1262 , SB636 , SB2056 , SB884 , SB1200 , SB1845 , SB2458 , SB801 , SB3014 , SB3013 , SB758 , SB2797 , SB2076 , SB2876 , SB1640 , SB1449 , SB1181 , SB1234 , SB2926 , SB2841 , SB1528 , SB1854 , SB317 , SB1250 , SB2082 , SB1237 , SB2819 , SB629 , SB2608 , SB1602 , SB2009 , SB867 , SB640 , SB1698 , SB2680 , SB913 , SB1071 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1483 , SB1444 , SB1553 , SB1556 , SB1703 , SB2133 , SB2297 , SB2298 , SB2622 , SB2955 , SB2334 , SB1367 , SB2044 , SB2363 , SB2565 , SB1888 , SB3036 , SB3057 , SB3043 , SB3063 , SB3035 , SB203 , SB2688 , SB2522 , SB2459 , SB2655 , SB2251 , SB1884 , SB2928 , SB2566 , SB2549 , SB2553 , SB2919 , SB1944 , SB1232 , SB1798 , SB2603 , SB2607 , SB2683 , SB1319 , SB3045 , SB3071 , HJR7 , HB5115 , HB3053 , HB1403 , HB223 , HB748 , HB5652 , HB3395 , HB180 , HB 1306 , HB322 , HB 126 , HB5650 , HB4894 , HB1629 , HB5698 , HB3171 , HB2694 , HB5664 , HB4690 , HB4464 , HB3623 , HB2520 , HB2213 , HB252 , HB146 , HB5596 , HB3619 , HB5320 , HB5651 , HB5670 , HB5665 , HB5437 , HB5679 , HB5699 , HB5661 , HB5662 , HB5654 , HB5672 , HB5656 , HB3812 , HB3057 , HB2035 , HB721 , HB346 , HB2512 , HB5695 , HB5694 , HB5674 , HB3185 , HB2348 , HB1871 , HB 1135 , HB 101 , HB5666 , HB5677 , HB5682 , HB5658 , HB4144 , HB3642 , HB3815 , HB2686 , HB2012 , HB1960 , HB227 , HB654 , HB1690 , HB2128 , HB4158 , HB4630 , HB1523 , HB2078 , HB1973 , HB3333 , HB3697 , HB3546 , HB3225 , HB3181 , HB2820 , HB1506 , HB 1234 , HB640 , HB521 , HB229 , HB186 , HB 119 , HB4795 , HB4466 , HB3749 , HB 1106 , HB4 , HB4170 , HB3909 , HB4081 , HB4145 , HB4157 , HB4285 , HB4463 , HB4995 , HB5138 , HB5624 , HB1449 , HB2598 , HB3629 , HB4361 , HB824 , HB1868 , HB4848 , HB2243 , HB40 , HB 117 , HB3686 , HB500 , HB3793 , HB 112 , HB 104 , HB 1056 , HB42 , HB3000 , HB 100 , HB2240 , HB718 , HB27 , HB4904 , HB4202 , HB2853 , HB5129 , HB5093 , HB4765 , HB4748 , HB4559 , HB4350 , HB4214 , HB3388 , HB3112 , HB5196 , HB4211 , HB3516 , HB3092 , HB4233 , HB4687 , HB705 , HB 1094 , HB2037 , HB3005 , HB3848 , HB 1105 , HB 121 , HB3372 , HB367 , HB783 , HB3336 , HB3441 , HB4449 , HB5616 , HB2407 , HB2854 , HB3425 , HB5294 , HB 1178 , HB4623 , HB14 , HB3963 , HB 1211 , HB5646 , HB5629 , HB3783 , HB4236 , HB46 , HB4638 , HB 1052 , HB4070 , HB5509 , HB5435 , HB4134 , HB3923 , HB3520 , HB3320 , HB2517 , HB2488 , HB5663 , HB2731 , HB3073 , HB2655 , HB2399 , HB541 , HB4099 , HB 111 , HB1532 , HB3483 , HB2963 , HB4580 , HB3748 , HB713 , HB632 , HB426 , HB4730 , HB 127 , HB5690 , HB5689 , HB5655 , HB3385 , HB2757 , HB4359 , HB5381 , HB20 , HB 123 , HB549 , HB5606 , HB2217 , HB2594 , HB796 , HB150 , HB 1057 , HCR141 , HCR40 , HCR59 , HCR76 , HCR81 , HCR46 , HCR111 , HCR83 , HCR84 , HJR7 , HB4 , HB14 , HB27 , HB42 , HB46 , HB 100 , HB 126 , HB150 , HB322 , HB367 , HB500 , HB640 , HB705 , HB783 , HB 1105 , HB 1178 , HB 1211 , HB 1234 , HB1506 , HB1690 , HB1871 , HB2078 , HB2128 , HB2240 , HB2243 , HB2407 , HB2512 , HB2853 , HB2854 , HB3000 , HB3057 , HB3181 , HB3372 , HB3425 , HB3441 , HB3749 , HB3783 , HB3812 , HB3923 , HB3963 , HB4070 , HB4134 , HB4157 , HB4211 , HB4449 , HB4623 , HB4638 , HB4687 , HB4748 , HB4795 , HB5093 , HB5129 , HB5616 , HB5629 , HB5699 , HB229 , HB521 , HB 1056 , HB 1106 , HB5138 , SR583 , SCR52 , HB223 , HB229 , HB521 , HB 1056 , HB 1106 , HB1403 , HB3053 , HB5115 , HB5138

Transcript Highlights:

• Notes that are typically more short-term amortization schedules and typically, like I think you said,
• of their full paycheck minus the wages they have already accessed via our app by their regularly scheduled
• financial product that allows users to access the wages that they have already earned before their scheduled

Bills: HB1453 , HB1718 , HB2043 , HB2207 , HB2798

Committee: House Pensions, Investments & Financial Services

Transcript Highlights:

• And I know you guys are on a quick time schedule, but if you'd like, our expert is here and could certainly
• You're the one who sets the call schedule.
• Chairman: Tomorrow, Thursday, is not a regularly scheduled committee day, but it's very probable we'll

Committee: Senate Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• We will have more coming in on our busy schedule, and just to let you know, with regards to the Water
• We will have more coming in on our busy schedule, and just to let you know, with regards to the Water
• Yes, and your busy schedule.

Summary: The Committee on Water and Land opened with housekeeping remarks about testimony limits, video availability, and that decision-making would follow the hearing. The committee then heard and considered several SCRs authorizing long-term nonexclusive easements over state submerged lands for existing public or private infrastructure on Oahu, including stormwater outfalls, shoreline protection structures, concrete stairs, seawalls, and a rock revetment. DLNR supported each measure and generally requested only technical or clarifying amendments; for SCR 3, DLNR asked that the title be clarified to specify the easement would be granted to the City and County of Honolulu. After discussion, the committee adopted the chair’s recommendations, passing SCR 3 with amendments and SCRs 4, 6, and 7 unamended, while SCR 5 was passed with technical, non-substantive amendments. Senator Meli noted general concerns about seawalls and hardening but said he would support the measures because they involved repair of existing structures and public access, though he indicated a reservation on SCR 6. The committee then took up governor’s messages for HCDA appointments. For GM 58, Gerald Gordner was nominated to the Kalaeloa district seat; HCDA’s executive director and another supporter praised his urban planning, housing, zoning, GIS, and collaborative skills, and Gordner described his interim service and background in housing affordability and disaster recovery. Members also discussed a former military hangar in Kalaeloa and possible future uses, with Gordner noting he understood there had been restrictions that were later lifted, while the chair raised concerns about airport operations and modular housing use. The committee also heard support for GM 559, nominating Micki Lidstone as cultural specialist; HCDA said she had been an active and reliable board participant and cultural resource, and Lidstone said she valued learning from Native Hawaiian testimony and helping balance community perspectives. Finally, GM 688 nominated Deborah Kabibi to the Leeward Oahu/Maui district seat; HCDA said her community ties would be valuable for South Maui planning, and Kabibi said she had learned a lot from the board’s collaborative process and was eager to represent her community. The transcript ends during discussion of GM 688, before any vote on the nominations is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know this happens to my fire department all the time, where they schedule a beneficial burn, and then
• of a fire captain, and there is closer alignment to industry standards in terms of work week and schedule
• "Call when needed" contracts are used for aircraft that are not available on a regular schedule, while

Transcript Highlights:

• In the event of a network failure, it may be necessary to reschedule the hearing or schedule a meeting
• In the event of a network failure, it may be necessary to reschedule the hearing or schedule a meeting
• I know you guys have a very busy schedule this morning, so we'll stand on our written testimony pending

Committee: House Public Safety

Summary: The Committee on Public Safety heard testimony on several bills. HB 628 HD1, relating to education, would reinstate a prior law allowing veterans whose high school education was interrupted by wartime to receive a diploma. Testimony was generally supportive from the Office of Veterans Services, the Department of Education, the Hawaii Military Affairs Council, and an individual testifier, with one person in opposition. The committee later recommended passage of HB 628 HD1 as is, and the motion was adopted. The committee also heard HB 1158 HD1 and HB 1159 HD1, both relating to commercial harbors. HB 1158 HD1 concerns firefighting at commercial harbors and drew support from the Department of Transportation; the committee recommended passage as is and adopted the recommendation. HB 1159 HD1 would require masters or persons in charge of vessels to comply with a Harbor Master’s order to evacuate a commercial harbor during emergencies. Testimony included support from Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, the Department of Transportation, and comments from the Hawaii Harbor Users Group. Members raised concerns about small boat operators and safety, and the committee passed the bill with reservations. The committee then discussed HB 1262, relating to the Emergency and Budget Reserve Fund, and HB 1296, relating to the major disaster fund. Supporters of HB 1262 included the Climate Advisory Team and AARP Hawaii, while the Department of Budget and Finance cautioned about duplication of benefits with federal disaster aid and the need to preserve the fund’s primary purpose. Members questioned how the bill would interact with federal assistance and whether the fund could be used more broadly; no vote was taken, and the bill was deferred to decision-making. On HB 1296, HEMA and Budget and Finance opposed the measure, citing the need for flexibility in emergencies and concerns that added reporting requirements could hinder response efforts, while the Tax Foundation of Hawaii noted the major disaster fund is much smaller than the EBF. The committee likewise deferred HB 1296 to decision-making, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• March, 2026, for the Senator in the General Court in the First Middlesex District, together with a schedule

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and took up two resolutions, laying aside one commending the Endometriosis Alliance of Massachusetts and adopting the other, which commended the Admetech Foundation for recognizing the 17th annual Prostate Cancer Awareness Day. The chamber then recessed while it received the certified returns from the special election in the First Middlesex District and appointed a committee to canvass the votes. The special committee reported that the votes had been canvassed and that Vanna Howard appeared duly elected. The Senate then appointed a committee to notify Governor Maura Healey and the Executive Council that the Senate was ready for the swearing-in, and Howard was formally administered the oath of office as senator from the First Middlesex District. Governor Healey and Senate leaders offered welcoming remarks highlighting Howard’s background, her historic status as the first Cambodian American state senator, and the significance of her service. In her remarks, Howard thanked voters, supporters, family, and mentors, reflected on her journey as a refugee from Cambodia, and said she was committed to continuing the work of her predecessors and serving the district. After the ceremony, the Senate adopted an order to meet again the next day at 11 a.m. in formal session, ordered Howard’s remarks spread upon the record, and approved the emergency preamble for an act establishing a sick leave bank for Sally DeRosher, an employee of the Department of Correction. The Senate then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• A&B Education, just as a way of announcements and scheduling purposes, we will probably, I'd say 90%

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several education-related bills. Senate Bill 1360, expanding the state’s math proficiency efforts through a specialized Office of Math Instruction and related funding, drew questions about vendor involvement and budget implications. The author said the focus is on evidence-based teacher professional development, screening, and implementation support, and noted the bill’s funding increased from a $5 million request to $10 million. It passed 7-1. Senate Bill 1204, providing three days of paid bereavement leave for educators and support personnel, was presented as a way to support school employees during difficult times. The fiscal note was discussed, but the author said SDE could absorb the cost using carryover maternity leave funds, so no additional budget appropriation was needed. The bill passed 7-0. Senate Bill 1989, which adds digital peer-to-peer payment networks as an option for contributing to college savings accounts, also passed unanimously. The committee then approved Senate Bill 1189, continuing the $50 million school resource officer and school safety funding plan, with discussion noting it could support officers and other safety improvements. Senate Bill 1481, adding 20 minutes of recess for full-day kindergarten, prompted questions about flexibility for disruptive students, schedule impacts, half-day programs, and enforcement; the author said schools would retain some discretion and that compliance could be handled through accreditation. It also passed 7-0. The meeting ended with notice that the committee was likely to meet again on Wednesday afternoon.

Transcript Highlights:

• March, 2026, for the Senator in the General Court in the First Middlesex District, together with a schedule

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and took up two ceremonial resolutions: one honoring the Endometriosis Alliance of Massachusetts and another recognizing the Atmitech Foundation for the 17th annual prostate cancer awareness day. The endometriosis resolution was set aside, while the prostate cancer resolution was adopted by voice vote. The chamber then recessed to canvass the special election returns for the First Middlesex District. A special committee reported that Vanna Howard was duly elected, and the Senate adopted orders to notify the Governor, constitutional officers, and Executive Council so Howard could be sworn in. Governor Maura Healey and Senate leadership offered remarks welcoming Howard, praising her service, resilience, and historic election as the first Cambodian American state senator in the United States. Howard was then sworn in and delivered remarks thanking voters, supporters, family, and mentors, and reflecting on her background as a refugee from Cambodia and her commitment to public service. After the ceremony, the Senate adopted an order to meet again the next day at 11 a.m., spread Howard’s remarks upon the record, and approved an emergency preamble for an act establishing a sick leave bank for Sally DeRosher, an employee of the Department of Correction, by a standing vote of 18 in favor and none opposed. The Senate then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• workers are not only paid less than the median worker; they are also more likely to face unstable work schedules

Summary: The Senate Labor and Public Employment Committee held an oversight hearing on federal policy impacts on California’s labor market. The chair and members framed the hearing around weak job growth, inflation, affordability pressures, federal cuts to safety-net programs, tariffs, and immigration enforcement, arguing these policies are harming workers, employers, and communities. The committee heard from economists, researchers, worker representatives, and employers about labor-market conditions and the effects of federal actions on employment, wages, and business stability. UC Berkeley economist Enrique Lopez Lira described a sluggish labor market, with job growth near zero since early 2023, low-wage work affecting about 35% of California workers, and housing and child care costs outpacing wages. He said federal cuts to Medi-Cal and SNAP/CalFresh and increased immigration enforcement would worsen insecurity, especially in health care, retail, leisure, hospitality, agriculture, construction, and care work. Committee members asked about recession indicators, sector-specific layoffs, and the role of unions, and Lopez Lira said worker organizing offered some hope. A second panel focused on immigration enforcement. UC Merced’s Edward Orozco Flores said private-sector employment in targeted states fell during escalated enforcement periods and that California’s 2025 declines were unprecedented in the historical record. LAEDC’s Shannon Sedgwick said undocumented workers are deeply embedded in Los Angeles County’s economy, supporting more than a million jobs and substantial economic activity, and that intensified enforcement hurt businesses, transit ridership, and consumer activity; she also cited major losses from a temporary downtown curfew. Members asked about tax revenue, small-business impacts, recovery, and preparedness, and witnesses pointed to local resiliency funds, business toolkits, and worker resource guides. Worker testimony highlighted direct impacts in car washes, health care, higher education, and federal employment. Clean Car Wash Worker Center director Flore Melendres said more than 100 car washes had been targeted, hundreds of workers detained, and many businesses disrupted or closed. California Nurses Association president Michelle Gutierrez-Vos warned that federal health cuts and immigration enforcement were threatening hospital services, staffing, and patient safety, and urged support for CalCare and a moratorium on hospital closures. UAW 4811 president Rafael Jaime said federal research cuts were already reducing UC postdoctoral employment and threatening California’s research economy, while AFGE representatives described shutdown-related unpaid work, staffing losses, and the strain on TSA and other federal workers. The committee also heard from employers later in the hearing, but the transcript provided ends as the retailers’ representative begins her remarks.

Transcript Highlights:

• A normal daily schedule for our youth starts at 6 a.m. with wake-up.

Committee: House Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate you taking your time out of your schedule and for being here as we continue to conduct business

Summary: The Senate Business, Financial Services and Trade Committee held a public hearing on a proposed tribal gaming compact amendment involving the Lummi Nation and the Washington State Gambling Commission. Tina Griffin, director of the Gambling Commission, explained the compact amendment process under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, the role of the commission and legislative ex officio members, and noted that the proposal had reached tentative agreement and would next go to hearings before the commission and the House. She said the commission and tribe have a long-standing collaborative relationship. Lummi Nation Vice Chairman Terence Adams and other tribal representatives described the tribe’s gaming history and the purpose of the amendment. The proposal would add or update compact provisions for higher table and lottery limits, extension of credit to customers, electronic table games, and conforming definition changes. Tribal representatives said the changes would support tribal governmental services and economic development while maintaining strong regulation and internal controls. Commission staff said similar provisions have already been approved for other tribes and that the tribe would be responsible for setting responsible credit limits and controls, including customer vetting and self-exclusion checks. Senator Hasegawa asked about how credit would work and what oversight would apply, and staff said they would follow up with more detail. Senator Fortunato clarified that the request was for Lummi to receive provisions already available in other tribal compacts. Committee members also asked about the timing of public comment, and staff said it would be taken at the end of the hearing if any was signed up. No public comment was offered, and the chair closed the hearing without any vote or formal action taken by the committee.