Transcript Highlights:

• Persons disrupting legislative proceedings are subject to removal, arrest, or other appropriate legal
• , from the Appropriations Committee to the Judiciary Committee; AB 866, Ortega, from the Banking and
• Pursuant to Assembly Rule 96, I request unanimous consent to re-refer the following bills.
• AB 418, Wilson, from the Appropriations Committee to the Judiciary Committee.
• I request unanimous consent to suspend Assembly Rule 56 to allow the Appropriations Committee to notice

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, heard a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through routine procedural business, including dispensing with the reading of the prior journal, re-referring several bills, and approving committee scheduling requests. There was also a point of order from Assemblymember DeMaio asking about a possible Governor’s message regarding Medi-Cal, but the chair said no formal message had been received at the desk. The main floor debate centered on AB 321 by Assemblymember Schultz, the Better Informed Decisions Act, which would allow courts to consider reducing certain “wobbler” offenses from felonies to misdemeanors later in the criminal process if new evidence emerges. Supporters argued it would improve fairness, transparency, and efficiency by letting judges make better-informed decisions; opponents said it would weaken felony accountability and conflict with voter intent on public safety. The bill passed on a 46-5 vote. The Assembly also adopted ACR 47 by Assemblymember Chen, declaring March 16–22 as National Surveyors Week, with 63 co-authors added and the resolution adopted by voice vote. AB 387 by Assemblymember Alanis, which expands jury duty exemptions to include probation officers, passed 64-0. On the consent calendar, ACR 46, HR 9, HR 22, and SCR 17 were adopted with unanimous votes, and the Assembly adjourned until Monday, March 17 at 1 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• At the appropriate time, Mr. Chairman, I'd like to move that we report ACR 32 favorably.
• That's exactly the question we're trying to clear up with this legislation.
• Baham deferred and this one, the legislative auditor came out with a report. Rep.
• Mike Edwards present would provide information if requested. Not wish to speak.
• Mike Edwards present would provide information if requested.

Bills: HCR32, HCR53, HCR60, HCR68, HB582, HB730, HB762

Committee: Transportation, Highways & Public Works

Keywords: Saint Claude Avenue Bridge, Port of New Orleans, backup motors, infrastructure, traffic management, oversized vehicles, permitting, economic impact, transportation, local regulations, Louisiana economy, Interstate 12, I-12, Interstate 55, I-55 interchange, DOTD, Department of Transportation and Development, D.R.I.V.E. Initiative, highway infrastructure, transportation planning

Transcript Highlights:

• We welcome the legislator from the 22nd. Good to see you. Thank you, Chair Goodman.
• I represent the 22nd Legislative District.
• This bill was originally a Department of Corrections request legislation, noting that it will save the
• That's not a request not to do this.
• We think we should fund the toxicology lab appropriately.

Summary: The committee heard staff briefings and sponsor testimony on four bills. House Bill 2310 would elevate fourth-degree assault with a finding of sexual motivation to a Class C felony after two prior qualifying convictions within 10 years, with discussion focused on when sex-offender registration would apply and whether the bill would capture repeat conduct that is often pled down. The sponsor said the bill responds to a constituent’s experience and is intended to increase accountability for repeat offenders. Testimony was split: prosecutors and law enforcement supported the bill as a practical way to address repetitive sexual-motivation assaults, while defense advocates warned it would trigger major sex-offense consequences, including registration, prison time, immigration consequences, and possible sentencing disproportionality. No vote was taken and the hearing was held open. House Bill 1239, the reentry readiness bill, would increase earned release time to up to 33.33% for eligible offenses committed on or after July 1, 2026, make certain enhancements eligible for earned release time, create a two-year peer-support pilot for incarcerated survivors of sexual violence and intimate partner violence at the Washington Corrections Center for Women, and require victim-notification materials about sentencing changes. The sponsor and supporters said it would improve reentry, reduce recidivism, and better prepare people for release, while the Sentencing Guidelines Commission said it aligns with prior recommendations for consistency in earned release. Prosecutors opposed the bill, arguing it mainly shortens sentences rather than improving reentry and could reduce accountability. The hearing remained open. House Bill 1228 would allow blood and breath toxicology testing to be considered valid if performed by a lab certified under ISO/IEC 17025, in addition to current state toxicologist methods. The sponsor and several local officials said Washington’s toxicology backlog is causing long delays, sometimes over 300 days, which slows charging decisions and can allow repeat DUI behavior before cases are filed. Supporters said private accredited labs could provide a local option and speed results, while defense advocates asked for discovery protections if outside labs are used. County and law enforcement representatives supported the concept but cautioned against shifting costs to counties and creating unequal access based on local resources. The sponsor indicated an amendment would remove out-of-state labs and add a five-year report-back. House Bill 2464 would require private detention facilities to report serious incidents such as abuse, neglect, deaths, suicides, injuries requiring hospitalization, and service disruptions to the Department of Health and local law enforcement within one business day, and would require annual reporting by law enforcement on calls and follow-up actions. The sponsor said the bill is aimed at transparency and ensuring that incidents in private detention facilities are not hidden. Testimony from advocates, journalists, and researchers described alleged abuse, suicides, hunger strikes, fires, and barriers to reporting at the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma, and said the bill would improve public access to information. Law enforcement representatives said the bill affects only two agencies and urged the committee to consider the cumulative burden of reporting mandates and the public-trust implications of involving local agencies in federal detention issues. The hearing on this bill was also held open.

Transcript Highlights:

• , and I thank you for your time today and respectfully request your support for SB 1116.
• Legislation actually passed, but however, there are barriers.
• For those reasons, I respectfully request your support for SB 1117. Thank you for your time.
• At the appropriate time, I'm happy to move the bill. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr.
• That will only succeed if the appropriate infrastructure is getting built.

Committee: Housing

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll tell you that when I get your request. Oh, you won't get him, Mr.
• This is kind of a small business piece of legislation.
• I've made requests to get... from members. ...from members.
• And I know that we don't have all the requests in at this point.
• One is to ignore the requests. Can't do that. Number two is we have to reduce the...

Bills: SB282, SB300, HB72, HB396, SB282, SB300, HB72, HB396

Committee: Finance and Taxation General Fund

Keywords: virtual currency, cryptocurrency, tax exemption, state tax law, digital assets, ad valorem tax, tangible personal property, business incentives, economic impact, firefighter, license plate, fees, funds distribution, support programs, memorial, disabled veterans, property tax exemption, debt-to-income ratio, homestead, veterans affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• There's been multiple legislators that have just, so that's, “To me, there’s been multiple legislators
• But we are not appropriating.
• But we are not appropriating.
• We'll take care of that legislating.
• We'll take care of that legislatively.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Higher Education Funding Committee met to discuss possible changes to North Dakota’s higher education funding formula, with a particular focus on separating the UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences MD program from the general formula. Dr. Jenkins outlined several options for the MD program, including a fixed-funding model, a hybrid model, or keeping it in the formula, and emphasized the need to preserve strong support for medical education while making future funding clearer. He also discussed efforts to increase the share of North Dakota students in the MD program through ND85, expanded recruiting, early acceptance pathways, MCAT prep, a four-plus-one program, and the Primary Care Accelerated Track, along with future cost pressures such as AI licensing and residency growth. The committee then reviewed a simplified funding model from the University System Office that would base funding more heavily on student FTE, credentials awarded, and a few incentive factors such as small institution and research adjustments. Members questioned the use of placeholder numbers, the lack of a clear methodology for the small institution and research factors, and whether the model would adequately account for differences among institutions, high-cost programs, and graduate education. Several members raised concerns that arbitrary factors would be hard to defend politically and could distort funding or create competition between schools, while others said the exercise was useful as a starting point for discussion. Alex presented a second alternative that kept the current SIP-code structure but increased CTE weighting, added a progressive economic size factor, and separated out the MD program. His model also added an on-campus face-to-face headcount component and a credentials component, with the intent of rewarding in-person enrollment and completions. Members questioned the use of headcount instead of FTE, how hybrid, online, dual-credit, and off-campus students would be treated, and why face-to-face enrollment was weighted more heavily than completion. No formal votes or final actions were taken; the committee instead continued discussion and asked members to provide direction on which elements, if any, should be developed further.

Transcript Highlights:

• The legislature did not pass the legislation in 2023.
• My bureau chief requested that I be released.
• and treating all requests as illegitimate.
• My next question is, when you presented the legislation, excuse me, when you presented the legislation
• I believe it's reviewing every ADA request for the state.

Committee: House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• They’re not requesting it.
• They’re not requesting it.
• </c> however ever is not the appropriate however ever is not the appropriate program<00:45:59.119><c>
• </c><01:18:04.520><c> this</c><01:18:04.679><c> legislation</c> 2024 the legislation this legislation
• </c><01:28:33.320><c> this</c> the program we are requesting this the program we are requesting this

Committee: Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• But I'm happy to answer any questions and I respectfully request my right to close.
• I know that this legislation has quite a powerful opposition.
• I ask you to vote in favor. of this legislation.
• We would also request...
• So, I see that as maybe not a legislative...

Bills: HB1341, HB1674, HB4028, SB2321

Committee: Environmental Regulation

Keywords: hydrogen sulfide, public health, environmental regulation, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, ground level concentrations, emissions limit, emissions limits, ground-level concentrations, air quality, PFAS, agriculture, environmental protection, health risks, criminal offense, chemical regulation, preproduction plastic, water quality, pollution control, industrial waste, emissions

Transcript Highlights:

• But we have annual permits in place available at requests that do not require trucks and... requests
• Is there a way that y'all have that in a request for emergency after-hours calls?
• request for emergency after-hours calls. Right, which is what we're talking about.
• So when it's appropriate, the answer is no, we never receive that call with our utilities.
• committee. bring before a legislative committee.

Bills: SB42, HB323

Committee: Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure

Keywords: abandoned roads, land ownership, government regulations, property rights, transportation, electric utility, oversize vehicles, transport permits, state highway system, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I would respectfully request your aye vote at the appropriate time. Thank you. Go ahead.
• So now is an appropriate time to come to the microphone with name, organization, and position.
• So now is an appropriate time to come to the microphone with name, organization, and position.
• Once again, this is an appropriate time to come to the microphone with name, organization, and position
• Once again, this is an appropriate time to come to the microphone name, organization, and position.

Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee met with an initial lack of quorum and began hearing items as a subcommittee before quorum was established. The committee first heard SCR 129, which designates a portion of State Highway Route 152 in Santa Clara County as the Rusty Reyes Highway. The author and supporters described Rusty Reyes as a longtime public servant who helped secure funding for Highway 152 improvements and other local projects. There was no opposition testimony, and the measure was moved for adoption. The committee then heard SJR 16, which urges Congress to act on the loss of commercial driver credentials affecting thousands of California truck drivers, including many in Sikh and Latino communities. The author and Teamsters California testified that federal action and court rulings had forced cancellation of licenses despite the drivers’ qualifications, harming livelihoods and the state’s supply chain, and that California was also facing withheld federal highway funds. No opposition witnesses appeared, and the resolution was moved for adoption. After quorum was established, the committee returned to its consent calendar item, ACR 228, and then took roll calls on the measures. Both SCR 129 and SJR 16 were adopted by committee vote, and ACR 228 was also moved on the consent calendar. The chair repeatedly held the roll open briefly to allow additional members to add their votes before closing the roll.

Transcript Highlights:

• President, at the appropriate time, may I request that their names be added into the Senate Journal.
• intern for then Senator legislative intern for then Senator Malama<00:02:45.519><c> Solomon.
• ><c> time,</c><00:04:06.239><c> may</c> President, at the appropriate time, may President, at the appropriate
• Representative Gene Ward was more than a legislator. He was an advocate for our lāhui.
• He was an was more than a legislator.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I believe that your legislation, in conjunction with the legislation that came through this committee
• This legislation fills that gap.
• I respectfully request an aye vote. Thank you. Thank you.
• I am a legislative advocate for the ACLU California Action.
• So this is, I think, an appropriate adjustment or correction, five years.

Committee: Transportation

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think if you had it any other appropriations committee so far, it has been noted that President, all
• Britain's encourage all of our appropriations committees to spend some time examining how our departments
• So each year we get appropriation with the budget.
• 1700 of the 7,000 requests to Rehome Non native pets.
• The most requested species to rehome include red-eared slider turtles ball pythons.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A fiscal note was requested. Any questions? Thank you so much, Tim.
• A fiscal note has not been requested on this.
• A fiscal note has not been requested on this. Thank you so much.
• It felt appropriate to match them.
• And we think that's an appropriate balance. Thank you.

Summary: The committee began with Senate Bill 5962 on spring blade knives, first suspending the five-day notice requirement. Staff explained the bill would remove spring blade knives from the list of dangerous weapons while keeping restrictions on carrying them in schools, child care, and other protected locations. Proponents, including Knife Rights and the prime sponsor Sen. T’wina Nobles, described the measure as a modernization and cleanup bill that would reduce confusion and support lawful use and manufacturing; one testifier strongly objected to the bill’s added location-based restrictions. Public testimony was overwhelmingly in support, and the hearing then moved on without a vote. Senate Bill 6105 would raise the wage exemption from garnishment for medical debt judgments from 30 to 60 times the state minimum wage, while keeping the 80% disposable earnings exemption and adding notice requirements identifying the debt as medical. Sen. Marko Liias said the bill is intended to protect low-wage workers from severe financial hardship and reduce incentives to work off the books. Supporters from patient, consumer, AARP, and anti-poverty groups said medical debt is often unexpected and garnishment can destabilize families; opponents from collectors and trade groups argued the bill was too broad, lacked stakeholder input, could hurt providers, and should define medical debt more clearly. The hearing closed with no action taken. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6203, which would clarify that out-of-state convictions can include foreign-country convictions for offender scoring if obtained with sufficient due process safeguards. The sponsor, Sen. Matt Boehnke, said the bill closes a gap in sentencing law; prosecutors supported the concept and suggested simplifying the language, while the Sentencing Guidelines Commission, defense attorneys, and public defense opposed it, citing undefined standards, difficulty verifying foreign convictions, and due process concerns. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6296 on involuntary treatment, which would expand who may petition for detention, change rules for assisted outpatient treatment and police assistance, require firearm surrender compliance procedures, and make other ITA changes. The sponsor and several providers and family members supported the bill as a needed modernization, while DCRs, disability advocates, behavioral health organizations, hospitals, and others raised concerns about due process, implementation, rural transport, capacity, and unintended consequences. No votes were taken on either bill during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We ask you to bless every senator, every legislator.
• Privilege reported the Legislative Bureau.
• It is ordered to the Legislative Bureau.
• This legislation allows...
• House Concurrent Resolution 86 is a concurrent resolution to express legislative support for a request

Bills: SB524, SR108, SR109, SCR56, SCR57, SCR12, HB227, HB398, HB689, HB897, HB1029, HB1107, HB1217, HB221, HCR58, HB136, SB162, SB382, SCR33, SCR30, SB112, SB194, SB307, SB341, SB346, SB363, SB495, SB503, SB507, SB509, SB513, SB408, SB131, SB145, SB333, SB464, SB466, SB500, SB283, SB338, SB488, SB35, SB65, SB215, SB228, SB246, SB249, SB268, SB269, SB282, SB296, SB312, SB319, SB323, SB369, SB431, SB474, SB484, SB490, SB492, SB501, HCR14, HB537, HB652, HB653, HB661, HB726, HB756, HB851, HB964, HB966, HB34, HB35, HB48, HB474, HB553, HB758, HB852, HB10, HB16, HB36, HB44, HB46, HB52, HB61, HB78, HB98, HB102, HB124, HB126, HB131, HB135, HB141, HB142, HB164, HB170, HB171, HB179, HB194, HB231, HB245, HB280, HB292, HB294, HB297, HB305, HB336, HB337, HB351, HB436, HB594, HB789, HB956, HB957, HB995, HB1040, HB50, HB117, HB120, HB122, HB139, HB148, HB149, HB185, HB199, HB247, HB271, HB286, HB301, HB358, HB359, HB384, HB413, HB428, HB450, HB462, HB547, HB613, HB631, HB657, HB669, HB675, HB680, HB691, HB712, HB716, HB720, HB723, HB727, HB728, HB735, HB747, HB759, HB825, HB842, HB845, HB846, HB903, HB904, HB907, HB923, HB929, HB941, HB962, HB965, HB1036, HB287, HB370, HB515, HB521, HB570, HB1200, HB29, HB39, HB58, HB67, HB73, HB76, HB77, HB82, HB112, HB121, HB125, HB132, HB134, HB151, HB154, HB155, HB161, HB166, HB187, HB191, HB207, HB211, HB224, HB238, HB241, HB242, HB250, HB260, HB265, HB275, HB300, HB320, HB338, HB339, HB349, HB379, HB399, HB427, HB463, HB464, HB468, HB545, HB550, HB551, HB565, HB588, HB639, HB725, HB782, HB805, HB808, HB834, HB847, HB853, HB858, HB861, HB883, HB916, HB937, HB977, HB1012, HB1027, HB1044, HB1054, HB1071, HB1091, HB1117, HB119, HB129, HB677, HB850, SB68, SB149

Keywords: Jump Start, career and technical education, CTE, career diploma, career pathways, workforce development, high school diploma, career major, individual career and academic plan, ICAP, individual graduation plan, IGP, work-based learning, apprenticeship, internship, dual enrollment, articulation agreement, transfer credit, rural schools, rural LEA

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Roll call requested.
• </c> the Lucero um request. the Lucero um request.
• </c> bit different from being a legislator. bit different from being a legislator.
• I want to make sure it was, but I will request roll call, Mr. President. >> Roll call requested.
• </c> need to request that we uh reconsider. need to request that we uh reconsider.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are expressing an appropriating authority.
• “Maybe we ought to be appropriating this.
• This legislation serves as an equalizer.
• This is truly a bipartisan piece of legislation.
• legislative session.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to today's oversight hearing of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee. Thank you, Mr.
• And thank you so much to Senator Alvarez for requesting this audit.
• That was legislation that was adopted in AB 2057.
• And I don't know how to feel about how to appropriately feel about both of those.
• And I don't know how to feel about how to appropriately feel about both of those.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit Committee held an oversight hearing on a state audit of California’s community college transfer process, with members and witnesses broadly agreeing that transfer pathways remain too complex and inconsistent. Opening remarks emphasized that community colleges serve a large, diverse, often first-generation and low-income student population, but only about one in five transfer-intending students move to a UC, CSU, or other university within four years. Members highlighted disparities by race, region, campus, and major, and pointed to the Associate Degree for Transfer, TAG, and Cal-GETC as helpful but incomplete tools because requirements still vary across campuses and systems. State Auditor’s Office staff said the audit found that while UC and CSU overall enroll substantial numbers of transfer students, individual campuses and high-demand programs often do not, especially in STEM fields. They described barriers including missing prerequisite courses, unclear information, limited counseling, and inconsistent articulation between campuses. The audit used a computer science example to show how different UC and CSU campuses require different courses for the same major. The audit issued 22 recommendations, with 10 fully implemented and four partially implemented; remaining work centers on articulation, counseling, data sharing, and better use of ASSIST. UC, CSU, and the Community Colleges each said they support transfer and are taking steps to improve it. UC cited a new public dashboard, data-sharing agreements, new transfer pathways, and an ADT pilot at UCLA, while saying campus capacity and program differences limit systemwide mandates. CSU pointed to its strategic plan goals, the Transfer Success Pathway program, direct admissions outreach, and efforts to expand ADT alignment and credit applicability, while acknowledging that many students never reach the application stage. Community Colleges emphasized that transfer reform is central to equity and baccalaureate access, and called for stronger common course numbering, broader ADT acceptance, and more student-centered articulation. Members pressed the systems on why more uniform requirements and better coordination have not been achieved, and on how to reduce barriers for placebound and working students.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, at the appropriate time. Thank you so much.
• Respectfully, I ask for your aye vote at the appropriate time. Good morning.
• ASL is the third most requested language in California's courts.
• So we're certainly asking for your aye vote when the time is appropriate. Thank you.
• So we're certainly asked if I vote when the time is appropriate. Thank you.

Committee: Judiciary

Keywords: 988, house, all