Transcript Highlights:

• </c><02:22:41.280><c> members</c> of these areas how many staff members of these areas how many staff
• I would also say that this is a staff issue. Some are part-time, some full-time staff.
• We had 42 mountain rescues at Mount Monadnock that our staff, the park staff, are involved in.
• We had 42 mountain rescues at Mount Monadnock that our staff, the park staff, are involved in.
• and substitute staff.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority officials, led by Executive Director Rob Dapice, briefed legislators on the agency’s structure and funding. They explained that the authority is created by state law but is not a state agency, its debt is not state debt, and it is governed by a board appointed by the governor and approved by the Executive Council. The discussion focused on the Affordable Housing Fund and the lead paint hazard remediation fund, including how state appropriations and federal resources are combined to finance affordable rental housing and lead abatement work. Dapice said the Affordable Housing Fund is used as gap financing for multifamily affordable housing projects, typically alongside federal tax credits and tax-exempt bonds, and that state dollars leverage roughly 2:1 to 10:1 in additional federal and private investment, averaging about 4:1. He said the fund has received historic appropriations in recent budgets, including $30 million over the last two biennial budgets and an annual $5 million set-aside from the real estate transfer tax. He also said the fund is usually structured as 0% interest, deferred loans rather than grants, with repayments returning to the fund if projects generate cash flow. Members asked about rents, oversight, staffing, revenues, and whether the programs had added positions. Dapice said affordability restrictions generally last 30 to 99 years, rents are tied to income limits and capped so tenants pay no more than 30% of income, and compliance staff inspect properties regularly to verify income eligibility and rent limits. He said the organization has about 130 to 135 employees, down from about 145, with no new positions added because of the appropriations. He estimated total revenues at roughly $300 million, with administrative budget around $22 million, much of it pass-through grant money. On lead paint remediation, he said the state first appropriated $6 million in 2019, plus $1 million in ARPA funds, and that the program has cleared more than 500 units. He said the federal grant program is not annual or predictable, with a recent award of about $7.75 million, and that the maximum federal grant per unit is $177,000, typically paired with up to $100,000 in state loan support. He also noted that the program can address homes before a child is poisoned if lead hazards are identified, but that cases involving an already exposed child are a higher priority. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• And now we'll turn to House Bill 293, which is an act relating to health equity, data reporting, and
• 00:42:46.160><c> relating</c><00:42:46.680><c> to</c><00:42:46.920><c> health</c><00:42:47.240><c> equity

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our decisions are just, and our actions accomplish the purposes of peace, equity, and the common good
• That isn't fairness or equity. This is an intentional attempt to silence us.

Summary: The Assembly convened after initially lacking a quorum, then completed the prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, journal motions, and a long series of procedural actions, including suspending rules to move bills and approve a large Appropriations Committee hearing list. Members also made several guest introductions, including Shannon Lee, district staff from Assemblymember Jeff Gonzalez’s office, and later guests tied to agritourism and education recognitions. The floor debate centered heavily on AJR 31, a resolution urging Congress to restore and strengthen the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Supporters argued that recent Supreme Court decisions and redistricting efforts in other states were weakening Black and other minority representation and that California should take a clear stand for voting rights. Opponents argued the measure promoted racial division, conflicted with equal protection principles, and that districts should be drawn based on place or communities of interest rather than race. After a contentious debate with repeated parliamentary warnings over decorum, the Assembly suspended the rules to take up the resolution, added coauthors, and passed AJR 31 by a vote of 58-8. The Assembly then moved through a series of bills and resolutions, generally approving them with little or no opposition. These included AB 2341 clarifying emergency language translation rules for local agencies; AB 1816 extending court supervision for certain sex-offender rehabilitation programs; AB 2561 protecting consumer privacy settings on phones and digital devices; ACR 167 recognizing World Agritourism Day; ACR 190 recognizing California Day of the Teacher; AB 1581 improving identification of Native American students in public schools; AB 1586 requiring opioid overdose prevention training for school resource officers and safety planning; AB 1665 requiring mental health training for school coaches; AB 1693 streamlining retail tenant-improvement permitting; AB 1768 authorizing a local tax measure related to health funding; AB 1712 facilitating a water-system sale for Santa Fe Springs; AB 1792 addressing sexually exploitive AI imagery in health education; and AB 1822 prioritizing school projects that address extreme heat. Most measures passed overwhelmingly, several unanimously, and the resolution on agritourism and the teacher day were adopted by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• deliberations are thoughtful, our decisions are just, and our actions accomplish the purposes of peace, equity
• That isn't fairness or equity. This is an intentional attempt to silence us.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Same for Bruce Riley with Vote, Consuela Gaines with Vote, Asty Robbins with Power Coalition for Equity
• Asty Robbins with the Power Coalition for Equity and Justice.

Summary: The committee first handled several criminal justice bills related to evidence, juror privacy, probation, and sex offender supervision. HB 95, by Rep. Lecombe, updates an older statute to allow electronic access to videotaped forensic interviews of protected persons for prosecutors, defense counsel, courts, and other authorized persons; it was reported favorably. HB 55, by Rep. Villio, prohibits public disclosure of juror identifying information such as names, addresses, and contact information; after testimony from District Attorney Tony Clayton about juror harassment and intimidation, the committee adopted a small amendment removing outdated language and reported the bill favorably with amendments. HB 125, by Rep. Horton, revises supervised release for certain sex offenders to address jurisdiction and notification issues, especially when violations occur outside Louisiana; after testimony from DOC and probation and parole officials and a witness describing victim-protection monitoring, it was reported favorably with amendments. HB 158, also by Rep. Horton, increases the maximum custodial treatment period for technical probation violations from 90 to 180 days, but witnesses raised concerns that the language was too broad and could impose extra jail time beyond treatment; the author agreed to work on clarifying language before floor debate, and the bill was reported favorably. HB 169, by Rep. Horton, makes probationers or parolees responsible for extradition costs if they are able to pay, and it was reported favorably. The committee then considered HB 133, by Rep. Newell, which strengthens penalties and treatment requirements for battery of a school teacher and related offenses. A large amendment package was adopted to add aggravated battery and second-degree battery involving students or school employees, define terms, require counseling and evaluations in certain juvenile cases, and adjust juvenile disposition provisions. Teachers and supporters testified about assaults in schools and the need to protect educators, while district attorneys warned that some of the amended language—especially the shift to “serious bodily injury” and some definitional changes—could make prosecutions harder or create unintended constitutional issues. Rep. Newell agreed to continue working with prosecutors to tighten the language before the bill reaches the floor, and HB 133 was reported favorably as amended. Later, the committee heard HB 821 by Rep. McFarland, which moves the Louisiana Center for Safe Schools from GOSEP to the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement; the change was described as largely administrative and the bill was reported favorably. The committee also took up HB 399 by Rep. Zerang, which extends the terminally ill/incapacitated inmate release window from 60 to 120 days. Secretary Gary Westcott and DOC officials explained that the program is tightly vetted, applies to inmates who are truly at end of life, and includes victim notification and maximum supervision; supporters, including medical and faith-based witnesses, emphasized dignity, hospice care, and the practical need for more time to complete release planning. The bill was reported favorably. Finally, HB 296 by Rep. Knox repeals the inactive Reentry Advisory Council and the Offender Rehabilitation Workforce Development Act, and HB 168 by Rep. Freiburg creates a transitional reentry program for female parolees within six months of release; both were presented as public-safety and reentry measures, with strong support from reentry advocates, business groups, and faith-based organizations, and both were reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• Asty Robbins with Power Coalition for Equity and Justice.
• Asty Robbins with Power Coalition for Equity and Justice.

Bills: HB54, HB55, HB125, HB133, HB158, HB161, HB168, HB169, HB191, HB245, HB280, HB296, HB399, HB821, HB995

Keywords: parole, rehabilitation, mental health, substance abuse, criminal justice reform, alternative sentencing, juror confidentiality, public records, criminal procedure, privacy, court disclosure, sex offender, sex offense, child predator, registry, registration, notification, supervised release, probation and parole, juvenile offender

Transcript Highlights:

• That was your proof of ownership in a certain equity portion of the company that you bought stock in.
• That was your proof of ownership in a certain equity portion of the company that you bought stock in.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House convened, approved the journal, received Senate messages, and handled a long calendar of bills and resolutions. Early actions included the introduction and referral of several appropriations and policy bills, plus committee reports moving measures on transportation, education, and other topics. The chamber also welcomed a substitute representative and later recessed with plans to return in the afternoon. Among the major floor actions, the House passed Senate Bill 1332, a cash-transfer measure described as necessary to balance fiscal year 2026, by a vote of 59-9. The House also passed House Bill 545, which would allow certain military chaplains to obtain counseling licensure and bill insurance, after extensive debate over training equivalency and scope of practice; it passed 52-17 with one abstention. Other bills passed included House Bill 702 on securities ownership and Idaho law, House Bill 638 to restore the presidential primary, House Bills 765, 766, 767, and 797 on fire district boundaries, impact-fee administration, impact-fee use for equipment replacement, and fire district representation, and House Bill 672 limiting logos and slogans in the executive budget document. The House also approved House Bill 785 on school discipline for vulgar or inappropriate online conduct toward educators, House Bill 760 on property tax exemptions for workforce and affordable housing, and House Bill 789 ratifying the Coeur d'Alene Tribe Water Rights Settlement of 2026. In addition, the chamber adopted House Concurrent Resolution 27 honoring Idaho civilians who served and died on Wake Island during World War II, and passed House Resolution 25 regarding reviewed rules. Several measures were held on the calendar, and House Bill 833 on daily recess for elementary and middle school students was taken up after a two-thirds vote to suspend rules, with debate focused on whether the bill would unduly limit classroom discipline.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's an important area not just for equity, but for for It's an important area, not just for equity,

Summary: The Assembly Select Committee on Biotechnology and Medical Technology held a hearing on California’s medical technology landscape, with opening remarks emphasizing the sector’s size, economic impact, and role in jobs and innovation. The first panel contrasted MedTech with biopharma, describing MedTech as hardware- and manufacturing-oriented, more incremental in development, and more dependent on supply chains, land use, and mid-skilled workforce pipelines. Witnesses argued California is the epicenter for MedTech because of its mix of engineering, software, hospitals, and manufacturing ecosystems, and cited clusters in places like Irvine, Fremont, Carlsbad, and the Bay Area. They also highlighted examples such as Penumbra and Vyaire Medical Systems to show how local manufacturing, community college training, and reshoring can support growth. The panel discussed cybersecurity, trade relations, supply chain disruptions, and the need for better coordination with hospitals and regulators, while AdvaMed stressed that medical devices are already heavily regulated by the FDA and should generally be exempt from broader state laws that could create a patchwork of requirements. Members also discussed AI in MedTech, workforce training, and the possible effects of federal NIH funding cuts, with witnesses saying MedTech is less dependent on NIH than biopharma but still benefits from a strong innovation ecosystem. Committee members then asked about AI, affordability, patient satisfaction, women’s health, and the R&D tax credit. Witnesses said AI is helping reduce errors, redundant testing, and imaging time, while keeping clinicians in the loop, and that digital pathology and robotic surgery are improving diagnosis and treatment. They also noted that packaging, plastics, and recycling can affect FDA approvals, and that FemTech is an active and growing area for investment and acquisition. Several members raised concerns about California’s regulatory and incentive environment, including the loss of the R&D tax credit, and witnesses said the absence of tax incentives has made it harder to keep companies and jobs in the state. The second panel featured company representatives from Lyca Biosystems, Intuitive, Saravia Neurosciences, and Newman. Dr. Monroe described digital pathology as a way to digitize tissue slides, improve access to subspecialty review, and enable AI-assisted diagnosis, especially for cancer care and rural areas. Intuitive highlighted robotic-assisted surgery, including the da Vinci system and the Ion bronchoscopy platform, and said its technologies improve precision, reduce complications, and support clinician-led care. Saravia Neurosciences presented an early-stage neurotechnology for dementia that uses MRI-guided transcranial magnetic stimulation and AI-driven personalization, and argued California needs a state translational fund to bridge the gap between discovery and commercialization. Newman, a startup working on home diagnostics, said California’s permitting, zoning, and manufacturing rules make it difficult to scale advanced manufacturing locally and urged streamlining, reduced red tape, and incentives to keep manufacturing jobs in-state. Committee members again focused on tax credits and asked how the state could better support manufacturing, translational funding, and the retention of high-paying MedTech jobs.

Transcript Highlights:

• believes that government must conduct its programs, policies, and activities in a manner that promotes equity
• believes that government must conduct its programs, policies, and activities in a manner that promotes equity

Bills: SB12, SB36, SB92, SB120, SB133, SB151, SB18, SB96

Keywords: tax credit, physician, healthcare, income tax, rural health, quantum technology, infrastructure, economic development, New Mexico, corporate tax, research and development, innovation, affordable housing, gross receipts tax, tax deduction, construction materials, multifamily housing, low income, journalism, local news

Transcript Highlights:

• Their job is to increase doctor equity. that rightfully should belong to our that rightfully should belong
• Their job is to increase<00:26:28.000><c> docer</c><00:26:28.559><c> equity.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> to take an enormous amount of uh staff to take an enormous amount of uh staff power<01:06:50.400
• The direct admissions staff is essentially right sitting next to me.
• So I think there's been some concern about staff time devoted at the high school level.
• CUHCC's mission is transforming care and educating to advance health equity.
• </c> technology to support all clinical staff technology to support all clinical staff and<01:36:49.719

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 1659 will ensure that a dedicated staff member at the receiving school district will help transition
• California-grown foods with school meal programs in 86% of California's counties, with the goal of cultivating equity

Summary: The Assembly convened after a delayed quorum call, then moved through routine procedural actions, including unanimous-consent requests on guest seating and committee referrals. A motion by Assembly Member DeMaio to withdraw AB 2624 from committee failed on a roll call vote, 14-44. The chamber also heard multiple guest introductions and held an Armenian Genocide Remembrance ceremony with a prayer, pledge, and moment of silence. The main floor action centered on H.R. 97, commemorating the 111th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Assembly Member Schultz and numerous colleagues spoke in support, emphasizing historical recognition, solidarity with Armenian Californians, and opposition to denial. The resolution was adopted by voice vote after 66 co-authors were added. Later, H.R. 99 recognizing California Agriculture Day also drew extensive support from members highlighting the state’s agricultural economy, farmworkers, and the need for continued investment in agriculture; it was adopted by voice vote after 65 co-authors were added. Several bills were also considered and passed: AB 1838 on contractor wage-and-hour disclosure for public works bids, AB 1562 authorizing counties to randomly select poll workers, AB 2297 standardizing restitution rules in diversion programs, AB 1659 improving school re-enrollment support for justice-impacted youth, AB 1974 creating an optional temporary firearm storage program for law enforcement, AB 2402 updating health studio fee rules, and AB 1607 extending the Maddy Emergency Medical Services Fund. AB 1607 drew sharp opposition over fee funding and broader policy concerns, but passed 66-1. The Assembly also adopted ACR 129 establishing a sister-state relationship with Lagos State, Nigeria, and considered a Senate joint resolution on tariffs, with members split over whether tariffs or state policies were the main driver of higher costs; the transcript ends during debate on that resolution.

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 1659 will ensure that a dedicated staff member at the receiving school districts will help transition
• California-grown foods with school meal programs in 86% of California's counties, with the goal of cultivating equity

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• housing parks are being forced out of their homes due to predatory practices from out-of-state private equity
• Another positive thing that was mentioned was that your bill could give school food services staff more

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've seen a local makeup artist who's now got national representation and has had to hire extra staff
• Originally, if you had heard me talk about the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program, I talked

Summary: The Committee on Economic Development met with a quorum and first went into executive session, where it adopted a House committee substitute and voted House Bill 1716 due pass by a 13-0 vote, House Bill 2474 due pass by a 15-0 vote, and House Bill 2693 due pass by a 12-2 vote with one present. The committee then moved into public hearings. House Bill 3095, sponsored by Rep. Brown, would extend the business facility tax credit. Brown and witnesses from Burns & McDonnell and business groups said the credit supports retention and expansion of high-paying jobs in Missouri, especially in Kansas City, and helps the company plan future growth. No opposition was offered, and the hearing closed after several supportive witnesses testified. House Bill 3249, sponsored by Rep. Harzusa, would extend the jet fuel sales tax exemption for common carriers from 2033 to 2043 to support the planned redevelopment of St. Louis Lambert International Airport. Witnesses said the exemption helps encourage airline investment in a multi-billion-dollar airport project, and the bill drew support from regional business groups with no opposition. House Bills 2142 and 2058, sponsored by Reps. Wellenkamp and Vernetti, would combine the Missouri motion media tax credit’s two $8 million buckets into one $16 million pool and extend the sunset to 2035. Sponsors and industry witnesses said the change would improve competitiveness, support film and TV production, and help build long-term infrastructure and jobs; supporters included film office representatives, chambers of commerce, and local governments, with no opposition testimony. House Bill 2886, sponsored by Rep. Riggs, would update Missouri broadband law by raising speed standards, extending the state broadband office sunset, and addressing future federal broadband funds and provider defaults. Riggs argued the bill is needed to keep pace with AI and modern internet use and to recover federal funds; supporters from AARP and the broadband office emphasized the need for better service and longer timelines. Industry groups opposed parts of the bill, especially the exclusion of cable and concerns about overbuilding and overly strict speed requirements, while the broadband director said the sunset extension and future service needs should be considered. The committee adjourned after the hearing on HB 2886.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the last question I have is Really about that AI equity, Mr. Chairman.
• Chair I will just say that the salaries we're paying our district attorneys and their staff, as well

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But I've already made my expectations clear to staff, including our new P&C chief actuary.
• Staff will communicate to companies when a filing fails to meet legal requirements.
• But we're more than happy to work with your staffs on any of them or on anything else.
• I have a pretty intelligent staff, and we spent a fair amount of time.
• Chairman, I just want to apologize, Senator Blanco, and committee staff.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we'll have to have staff look at these to make sure, and the department look at them and make sure
• Chairman, I'm not married on the bill draft as much as is as as we have LSO staff.
• The other third party have LSO staff.
• </c><01:40:42.560><c> Uh,</c><01:40:42.800><c> I</c> you would just let our staff know.
• Uh, I you would just let our staff know.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so the Office of Women's Health specifically is mainly staff.
• Can you elaborate more or staff?
• So I guess, do we have enough staff? Do we have enough to handle... Do we have enough staff?
• So they received some staff that were in policy.
• Those two departments are looking at where their staff are housed.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All state air-quality staff are struggling with the same issue.
• But I will say that we're a thin staff. And when you lose key people, I mean... We're a thin staff.
• You lose a couple key people when you only have a small staff, and that can be a concern.
• I did ask our staff, too, let's model a hypothetical scenario.
• That's on our agenda, but I know legislative council staff has done an enormous amount of research for

Keywords: 908, all