Transcript Highlights:

• Second reading of bills: SB 1109, Transition Program Eligibility; Dangerous Offenses.
• SB 1169, appropriations, graduate medical education program.
• SB 1224, DES child care pilot program. SB 1225, pharmacies cost sharing requirement rebates.
• SB 1248, juvenile detention centers education programs, Appropriations and Transportation Technology.
• SB 1264, ESA program performance review determination, Education.

Summary: The Senate convened with a prayer by Rabbi Mendel Soup of Lake Havasu and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Senator Carroll, then completed an electronic roll call and approved the journal for January 20, 2026. The chamber recognized several guest groups and visitors, including CRNA Capital Day participants, rural electric cooperative representatives, AEA Retired members, March of Dimes advocates, students and school officials, and other invited guests. Senators used points of personal privilege to highlight the work of these groups and to introduce visitors in the gallery. The body then read a long list of bills on second reading, covering a wide range of topics including child welfare, public school safety, health insurance, water policy, taxation, housing, elections, public safety, transportation, and abortion-related measures. The Senate also received first-reading introductions and committee referrals for additional bills on subjects such as motor vehicle booting fees, traumatic event counseling, election procedures, assisted living, short-term rentals, and various appropriations and policy changes. No substantive debate or votes on the bills were recorded in the transcript. After committee reports were noted and the Senate briefly recessed for bill assignments, the chamber returned to order and continued with first reading and reference of more bills and resolutions. At the end of the session, the Majority Whip moved to adjourn, and the Senate adjourned until Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• , the department, the program areas in the department.
• So in the end of 2020, we picked up these design and programming, conceptual design programming meetings
• Once we went into programming and... ...that we had did.
• All of that really came flushed out in those programming conceptual design.
• That is our goal in our long-range program plan.

Summary: The committee first heard an update from the Florida Department of Corrections on the proposed Lake Correctional Institution mental health project in Clermont. Tim Fitzgerald explained the project’s history, including the 2016 Disability Rights Florida litigation, the 2018 consent decree, and the original plan for a 550-bed inpatient mental health facility. He said inflation and design changes pushed the project above the bond amount, leading the department to shift to a “continuum of care” alternative with 572 beds total: 92 inpatient beds and 480 residential treatment beds in three special housing units. Fitzgerald said the project is currently paused pending House concurrence, while the Senate has already agreed to the alternate plan, and noted the bond balance, prior expenditures, and the need to spend down the tax-exempt bond by August 2026. Members questioned how the new plan differs from the original facility, whether it satisfies the consent decree, and what caused the cost increases. Fitzgerald said the department believes it has already met the consent decree through systemwide improvements to housing, staffing, programming, and out-of-cell time, though he said he would confirm the court documentation. He also said the original scope grew from 275,000 to 350,000 square feet as treatment, nursing, security, and programming needs were refined, and that inflation, fees, permitting, and contingencies contributed to the higher cost. Several members asked for follow-up information on Senate approval, consent decree documentation, and the project’s impact on crisis-stabilization capacity. The committee then received a joint court-system presentation from State Courts Administrator Eric McClure and Clerks Corporation Executive Director Jason Welty on caseload trends, case tracking, and staffing. McClure described statewide filing trends, the use of weighted caseload studies to certify judicial need, and recent Supreme Court rule changes aimed at active civil case management, including differentiated case tracks, stricter deadlines, and proportional discovery. He said the latest workload study led the Supreme Court to certify a need for 23 circuit judges and 25 county judges. Welty reviewed clerk workload trends, the statewide case maintenance and CCIS systems, and declining clerk FTE despite rising case volumes, and said clerks are seeking additional funding for injunctions, Baker Act/Marchman Act/sexually violent predator work, and juror management. In questions, members pressed both presenters on data quality, case-weight calculations, filing fees, and whether current resources are enough to reduce delays. McClure clarified that the workload weights are based on judge time studies and that a capital murder case averaged 3,177 minutes, while other examples such as auto negligence and dissolution cases were much lower. Welty said the Legislature could help by increasing funding or potentially revisiting filing fees, and noted that many clerk services are unfunded or underfunded, especially indigent and protective filings. The chair and members also raised concerns about backlog, inconsistent case reporting across circuits, and enforcement of judicial time standards; McClure said there is no direct sanction in the rules, and compliance is largely managed through chief judges and the Supreme Court. The meeting ended with no votes taken and adjournment by motion.

Transcript Highlights:

• She grew up with her family in Oklahoma and later attended the University of Oklahoma School of Nursing
• In 1961, she moved to San Francisco and worked as a nurse at San Francisco General Hospital until her
• She led the first nurse sick-out in the U.S.
• health care for city nurses and their families.
• Beyond nursing, Deanna's passion and energy led her to work as a set decorator for Warner Brothers on

Summary: The Senate opened with a quorum, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through several gubernatorial confirmations. The chamber confirmed Irena Ortega to the Public Employment Relations Board, Monica Erickson as director of the Department of Human Services, Armin Mayor as senior deputy commissioner in the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, and Uca Dunkay to the California State Lottery Commission. All four appointments were approved overwhelmingly, with final confirmation votes taken after the calls were lifted. The main floor debate centered on SCR 152, designating April 10, 2026 as Dolores Huerta Day. Senators spoke at length about Huerta’s leadership in the farmworker movement, civil rights advocacy, nonviolent organizing, and ongoing influence, with several members sharing personal reflections and noting the role of Filipino farmworkers and Larry Itliong in the broader movement. The resolution passed unanimously. The Senate also adopted SR 91 recognizing Cambodian Genocide Memorial Week, SCR 149 marking World Autism Awareness Day, SCR 150 honoring National Librarian Day, and SR 98 designating Heat Pump Week in California. The chamber also passed SB 1078, an urgency tax measure giving Santa Cruz County voters the opportunity to approve a local tax above the 2% combined rate to help fund services, including medical services. The bill passed 29-9 on both the urgency and the bill itself. Later, the Senate approved the consent calendar and special consent calendar without objection, and members made committee announcements about upcoming budget subcommittee hearings. The session ended with an adjournment in memory of Deanna Mooney, a longtime San Francisco nurse, labor advocate, and community figure. The Senate announced it would reconvene on Monday, April 20, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• She grew up with her family in Oklahoma and later attended the University of Oklahoma School of Nursing
• In 1961, she moved to San Francisco and worked as a nurse at San Francisco General Hospital until her
• She led the first nurse sick-out in the U.S.
• health care for city nurses and their families.
• Beyond nursing, Deanna's passion and energy led her to work as a set decorator for Warner Brothers.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• regulation and licensing department, uh, progress of the nicotine use Prevention and Control, um, Program
• Justice settlement, preparation of recommendations to the Legislative Finance Committee, um, for program
• funding levels based on the committee's program evaluation process.
• I think that situation is common to almost every program that we administer in this state, including
• Um, and the, and we have a new, um, New PAC, the nicotine Use Prevention Control Program, um, a new,

Committee: House Tobacco Settlement Revenue Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a school fresh food and vegetable program as well. So all of these programs are out there.
• There are programs out there.
• Again, I realize that I do appreciate the program, and I think it could be a great program.
• And these programs exist.
• The programs are broad.

Committee: House Health and Mental Health

Summary: The committee first met in executive session and voted House Bill 2309, Representative Jones’ Oregon Harvesting bill, do pass by a vote of 13 ayes and no nays. The committee then moved to public testimony on House Bill 1881, which would schedule xylazine as a controlled substance. Representative Bill Allen said the bill is intended to address xylazine’s role in fentanyl-related overdoses, improve tracking and enforcement, and preserve legitimate veterinary use through carve-outs. A veterinarian from the University of Missouri testified in support, emphasizing xylazine’s long-standing and safe veterinary use and the need to protect agricultural practice while targeting illicit diversion. No opposition was presented, and testimony on the bill concluded. The committee then heard House Bill 1855, which would add alpha-gal syndrome to Missouri’s reportable conditions and create a reporting/surveillance framework. Sponsor Representative Matthew Overcast said the bill was revised to shift reporting from providers to private labs, create a standalone non-communicable disease reporting section, and support data collection for prevalence, education, and federal funding opportunities. Supporters included a lobbyist for the AlphaGal Alliance, a University of Missouri dermatologist/researcher, Extension staff, cattle industry representatives, and multiple patients and family members who described severe dietary restrictions, anxiety, school and work impacts, and the need for better public awareness and treatment research. Opponents argued the bill’s language would expand DHSS authority too broadly, especially the provision allowing the department to designate and enforce rules for noncommunicable diseases, and suggested narrowing the bill and adding opt-in protections. No vote was taken. Finally, the committee began hearing House Bill 2355, Representative Holly Jones’ “food as medicine” bill. Jones argued that nutrition should be treated as a public health intervention and described medically tailored meals, produce prescriptions, and nutrition counseling as tools that can improve outcomes and reduce costs. In questions, members raised concerns about how the proposal would interact with existing food assistance programs such as SNAP, WIC, school meals, and other federal nutrition benefits, and whether the bill would create a new entitlement or duplicate existing aid. The hearing on HB 2355 was still in progress when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:01:44.840><c> was</c> Um the North Star Promise Program was Um the North Star Promise Program
• They are also developed the program.
• ><c> people</c><00:36:34.600><c> like</c> These programs have allowed people like These programs have
• </c> North Star Promise program really is. North Star Promise program really is.
• ><c> vets,</c><00:50:50.920><c> yes,</c> assistants, nurses, dentists, vets, yes, assistants, nurses,

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• director and staff of the Florida High School Athletic Association and a member of the Community Program
• Of the Florida High School Athletic Association and a member of the Community Program Board of Directors
• Programs that produce millions in community and campus impact, and many of our programs have, but what
• And again, I sit here as a product, great parent, my dad was a veteran, mom was a nurse.
• And again, I sit here as a product, great parent, my dad was a veteran, mom was a nurse.

Summary: The Education Pre-K through 12 Committee heard a presentation from Florida High School Athletic Association Executive Director Craig Damon, joined by student athletes Sydney Daniel and Taylor White. The students spoke about the value of education-based athletics, leadership, and the need for safe, equitable opportunities. Damon then discussed FHSAA issues including rising sportsmanship problems, ejections, violent incidents, recruiting allegations, transfers, mental health pressures on student athletes, and the need for qualified coaches. He said the association tries to be proactive, work with schools on discipline, and emphasize that school changes should be for academic reasons rather than athletics. Senators asked about mental health, transfer rules, and a recent Jacksonville incident; Damon explained the current transfer exceptions and said the association lacked authority over the Jacksonville football game because the schools were not in FHSAA football. The committee then heard a panel on high school coaches’ compensation led by Florida Coaches Coalition Executive Director Dr. Andrew Ramgett, with Coach Mike Hickman, Coach Charlie Ward, and superintendents from Okaloosa and Walton counties. Ramgett argued that coaching supplements are outdated, have not kept pace with the expanding year-round demands of coaching, and amount to very low hourly pay in many sports. He also said Florida’s restrictions on booster club funding and minimal certification requirements contribute to turnover and difficulty retaining qualified coaches. Hickman and Ward described coaching as a demanding, year-round profession that affects students beyond athletics, including academics and mental health. The superintendents said they value coaches but must balance compensation against limited district funds and other staffing needs; one noted Walton County uses a dedicated administrative lane for football coaching and athletic administration. Senators discussed whether booster club funding should be allowed, whether compensation should be tied to performance, and whether any increase in base student allocation would actually reach coaches. Public commenters, including Florida Athletic Coaches Association Executive Director Shelton Cruz and former coach Tyrone McGriff, urged support for coaches and emphasized their broader impact on students’ lives and school safety. At the end of the meeting, the committee took up confirmation hearings for appointments on tabs 3 through 6 and, with no appearance forms filed, voted unanimously to recommend confirmation. Senator Burgess then moved to adjourn, and the committee concluded the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• I authored AB 1991 to address this challenge for shelter programs.
• beyond this starting point to more ambitious goals, ambitious changes in statute and regulatory programs
• the burden of proof if the court finds intentional destruction of evidence by a defendant skilled nursing
• Intentional destruction of evidence by a defendant skilled nursing facility or residential care facility

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and pledge, then took up a series of procedural motions and a large third-reading file focused heavily on housing, wildfire recovery, insurance, and related regulatory changes. Early actions included a successful motion to place Senate Concurrent Resolution 1 on the third-reading file, followed by a unanimous vote on SB 26, a cleanup measure related to lemon-law civil discovery procedures and automaker opt-outs from the AB 1755 framework. The chamber then moved through a package of urgency bills tied to the January 2025 Los Angeles-area wildfires and broader housing affordability concerns. Measures approved included AB 311 allowing displaced tenants to temporarily house wildfire victims and pets, AB 299 extending hotel/motel/short-term rental stays beyond 30 days for disaster-displaced families, AB 226 giving the California Fair Plan access to bond financing in catastrophic-loss scenarios, AB 253 allowing third-party plan checks when local review exceeds 30 days, AB 301 aligning state permitting timelines with local deadlines, AB 306 imposing a six-year pause on new residential building-code updates, AB 462 exempting certain ADUs in Los Angeles County coastal zones from coastal development permits, AB 493 requiring interest to be paid to homeowners on insurance proceeds held by lenders, and AB 597 tightening rules on public adjuster solicitation, fees, and contract transparency. Each of these urgency bills passed, generally with strong bipartisan support and mostly unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The Assembly also approved several non-urgency measures, including AB 293 on groundwater transparency and board disclosure, AB 251 on elder abuse litigation standards when evidence is intentionally destroyed, AB 59 removing a sunset on Reclamation District 108’s hydropower authority, AB 417 streamlining EIFD and CRIA financing tools, and AB 312 updating procedures for agricultural theft proceeds. In addition, ACR 6 was adopted by voice vote, recognizing Black April Memorial Month and the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon, with extensive remarks from Assembly Member Ta and support from other members. The consent calendar was adopted, and the body later heard adjournment-in-memory tributes for David Myers and Olivia Guerrero before adjourning to April 3, 2025. Several vote changes were announced after adjournment, including changes on AB 251 and AB 417.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, we do have a federal food program.
• food program there are two the federal food program there are two tiers<00:05:12.280><c> there's</c>
• We... the food program.
• <c> had</c><00:06:31.599><c> the</c> we M the food program I had the we M the food program I had the
• I wrote the program I'm with.

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a great program.
• It's a great program.
• home or getting that nursing care.
• home or get that nursing care.
• Well, the whole idea, as regarding even the name of the program, is a recruitment program.

Committee: Joint Judiciary Committee

Summary: The Judiciary Interim Committee met to continue its study of charitable gaming, especially the ownership of alcoholic beverage establishments by licensed charitable gaming organizations and the relationship between charities, site owners, and gaming manufacturers/distributors. Legislative Council reviewed the background memo and Attorney General’s Gaming Division explained the legal framework, including site authorizations, rent limits, allowable expenses, and restrictions on distributors and manufacturers. Members focused heavily on electronic pull tabs, asking about the large gap between gross proceeds and adjusted proceeds, how much is paid out in winnings, how much is retained for expenses, and whether the 60% allowable-expense cap is being used as intended. The AG’s office said e-tabs account for most gaming volume, that winnings make up much of the difference, and that some organizations do not use the full 60% while others may exceed it, though only the capped amount counts as gaming expense. The committee also discussed the number of gaming organizations that appear to own or be affiliated with bars, the ways those ownership structures are formed, and whether some arrangements may create conflicts or site-selection pressure. The League of Cities and the Association of Counties described the local site-authorization process and recent model policies adopted after the 2025 session. Cities said they can require signed agreements, limit games and machines, set qualifications, and charge up to $100 for site authorization, but cannot require charities to donate net proceeds or force a specific charity or site. They said the new policies are meant to add transparency and local control, though the more controversial parts involve requiring a local nexus or community connection. County representatives said the issue is mostly a city matter and that counties generally take a lighter-touch approach. Committee members raised concerns about whether local rules could unfairly exclude larger regional charities or create inconsistent standards across cities. The North Dakota Gaming Alliance said it supports the study and provided information on charities that own or are affiliated with bars, emphasizing that most gaming organizations do not own alcoholic beverage establishments. Its representative said some charities may pursue bar ownership for site stability and diversification, while others decide against it because operating a bar is difficult. He also said a ban on charity-owned bars could raise federal tax-law issues depending on how it is written, and agreed to provide more detail. The committee asked Legislative Council and the Gaming Alliance for additional information on ownership structures and federal-law questions before the next meeting. Later, the Racing Commission gave a separate update on live racing, pari-mutuel wagering, and related charitable partnerships, and the State Hospital superintendent reported on the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s support services, staffing, and wait lists; no votes were taken on these presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c><00:04:13.280><c> and</c> social workers, counselors, nurses, and social workers, counselors, nurses
• And we do adapt with the school nutrition program.
• This created unexpected programs.
• </c> sizes, programs, and student supports. sizes, programs, and student supports. to<00:30:50.240><c
• </c><01:02:56.799><c> from</c> highquality diverse ELA programs from highquality diverse ELA programs

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• depict a child. to criminal justice. under and the administration of the Texas Compassionate Youth Program
• We're also creating, for the first time, a liability protection program. for our Texas teachers that
• Objectives, for instance, for support staff, librarians. nurses, bus drivers, those that work in the
• it's not a bringing new teachers into the fold program because there's no pay increase for years one
• I think it's a great program.

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:

• This bill does not create new spending or expand the program.
• It does modernize Idaho's off-road vehicle enforcement program.
• The program maintenance bill, the majority of this budget was found in the program maintenance bill that
• They’re not able to build out their nursing program.
• So instead of hiring our children who could be trained as nurses, we’ll be hiring traveling nurses at

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill also replaces the existing unauthorized alien transport program with a new program where the
• But that is outside the 2.87 G program. Senator Polsky for additional question.
• that for other participants that are not are for the programs that are not Senator Gur.
• >> Rhule or program to Senator Berman earlier question.
• We have a shortage of nurses. We have a shortage of teachers.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a great program.
• It's a great program.
• home or get that nursing care.
• home or get that nursing care.
• Well, the whole idea as regarding even the name of the program is a recruitment program.

Summary: The Judiciary Interim Committee met to begin its study of charitable gaming and the ownership of alcoholic beverage establishments by licensed charitable gaming organizations, a study directed by Senate Bill 2334. Legislative Council gave an overview of the constitutional and statutory framework for charitable gaming, site authorizations, rent limits, proceeds, and recent legislative changes. The Attorney General’s Gaming Division then clarified the financial flow of gaming, explaining that in fiscal year 2025 North Dakota had about $2.5 billion in gross gaming proceeds, with roughly 88-90% paid back in prizes and about $256 million available to organizations after taxes; most of that activity came from electronic pull tabs. Members asked for more detail on winnings, replays, rent, and the breakdown of manufacturer/distributor revenues, and the AG’s office agreed to provide supplemental information. The committee also heard from the League of Cities and the Association of Counties about local site authorization. Cities said they have a limited role in approving gaming sites, can adopt policies after public hearing, may charge up to $100, and can set certain conditions, including local nexus requirements, but cannot require donations or force a specific charity or site. The League said it had worked with stakeholders on a model policy to provide more consistency, though members raised concerns that local requirements could become too restrictive for charities serving broader areas. Counties said the issue is mostly a city matter, with little county involvement beyond minimal site fees and general site approval. The North Dakota Gaming Alliance testified in support of the study and provided IRS-related material suggesting charities may use asset diversification, while emphasizing it had not taken a position on whether charities should own bars. Members questioned whether bar ownership is being used for site stability or to channel charitable gaming dollars, and whether city policies might disadvantage charities with broader missions. The committee also discussed the relationship between gaming organizations, manufacturers, and distributors, including restrictions on incentives and interference, and asked for more information on those entities and their ownership. Later in the meeting, the Racing Commission gave its regular update on live racing, pari-mutuel wagering, ADW providers, purse and promotion funds, a new TRPB contract, and concerns about cease-and-desist actions from other states. Finally, the State Hospital superintendent briefly reported on the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s support services, including the SORT team, training, and security assistance for the hospital campus.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also establishes requirements relating to AHP permits, including program and education requirements
• </c><00:05:11.520><c> and</c> to ahp permits including program and to ahp permits including program and
• or board certified a registered nurse or board certified athletic<00:19:37.960><c> trainer</c><00:19
• can take any part of our program away from us.
• </c> program can take any part of our program program can take any part of our program away<01:08:07.559

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the minutes, and then reviewed a long agenda of administrative regulations, most of which were advanced with staff-suggested amendments and no objection. Early items included the Kentucky Public Pension Authority’s 105 KAR 1:451, which updates reporting language and adds the contractor wizard for certain employers, and a large package of Board of Veterinary Examiners regulations that revise fees, facility and AHP registration requirements, continuing education, liability, and practice rules. The Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology’s compact-related regulation and the Board of Licensed Professional Counselors’ complaint and compact rules were also reviewed and approved with amendments, along with fish and wildlife rules affecting elk hunting, youth deer season length, bear-dog approvals, and foxhound enclosure permits. The committee also approved transportation, education, workplace standards, horse racing, and several health and human services regulations, including Medicaid waiver reimbursement updates and a child care regulation that sends certain large claims to the Office of Inspector General for review. Several agencies briefly explained their regulations when members asked questions. Fish and Wildlife said the elk population is strong and the baiting change is intended to support harvest monitoring and fair chase, while the longer youth deer season was meant to give young hunters more opportunity. The Department of Community-Based Services said the $10,000 and $5,000 claim thresholds were meant to clarify rare cases involving possible fraud or unresolved recoupment issues. The Department of Financial Institutions’ 808 KAR 5:305 drew the most discussion: it would allow certain state-chartered credit unions with a low-income designation to participate in federal programs, including limited non-member deposits and supplemental capital, but the regulation was deferred again amid continued discussions. The Kentucky Bankers Association testified against the credit union regulation, arguing that allowing non-member deposits conflicts with existing statute limiting credit union deposits to members and other credit unions, and that an administrative regulation cannot override that statutory restriction. Committee members heard the agency’s explanation that the proposal is intended to help underserved communities and that the non-member deposit authority would be limited, but no final action was taken because the item was deferred. The meeting otherwise concluded with the remaining regulations being called, discussed briefly, and approved or advanced without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm in on behalf of the Missouri Nurses Association. Members of the committee, my name is Kaina.
• And so that means for either a nurse practitioner, that would be the same price as another provider.
• Chris Ropee here on behalf of the Missouri Association of Nurse Anesthetists.
• You have a nurse anesthetist. Very hard to say. It is, I agree.
• A fee to the nurse anesthetist is lower than it is for an anesthesiologist that might be practicing in

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The governor said the nurses would get them tomorrow. Then he mentioned June 9th to 21 days.
• As I understand it, it is nurses and perhaps some who work at MState and Minstate, um, that go first
• </c><00:03:42.080><c> Then</c><00:03:42.239><c> he</c> nurses would get them tomorrow.
• Then he nurses would get them tomorrow.
• it, it is nurses and perhaps some<00:03:50.000><c> who</c><00:03:50.239><c> work</c><00:03:50.400><c

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So I think it, you know, it registers with me to think about what are those actual program areas where
• We really increased allocations for school nurses and school counselors.
• hear from parents in my district about, you know, my school is still... ...only has a quarter of a nurse

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: House and Senate Democratic leaders held a media availability focused on the session’s fast-moving cutoff period, the supplemental budget, and several major bills moving through committee. They said they had advanced a number of Senate bills, including the face mask bill, a bill on access to abortion medication, a bill on mobile devices in schools, and upcoming measures on driver privacy and IRS tax issues. They also said the House Finance Committee had held a hearing on the proposed millionaire’s tax, and that the budget would continue to emphasize food, shelter, health care, and continuity of government services. A major topic was allegations of fraudulent or bot-driven remote sign-ins and testimony on the millionaire’s tax hearings. Leaders said remote participation has broadened public access and they do not want to shut it down, but they acknowledged the system may need interim tweaks to improve accuracy. They said the issue appears unprecedented, that they learned of it through a complaint to the House chief clerk, and that legislative tech staff and Senate operations leaders would review possible changes after session. They also stressed that sign-in counts should be treated cautiously and are not the same as votes. The lawmakers also discussed the proposed income tax on high earners, defending it as constitutional and necessary to fund state priorities. They argued that state spending growth reflects inflation, population growth, McCleary-related school funding changes, and major investments in child care, higher education, Medicaid dental care, IT systems, and special education. In response to questions about tort claims against the state, they said Senator Dhingra’s arbitration bill is unlikely to move further this session, though the issue will continue to be worked on over the interim. They said the state needs to reduce liability through prevention and alternative dispute processes rather than through unconstitutional damage caps. On the millionaire’s tax process, leaders said the House Finance Committee is expected to add more tax reductions than the version heard that morning, with a goal of reaching roughly 25 to 40 percent in reductions and likely avoiding a conference committee if the House and Senate can concur. They said the bill may still include a sales-tax-on-services change, but that the final package is still being negotiated. They also said they do not support extending the tax to incomes below $1 million, and that no decision had been made on a possible governor-backed sales tax holiday.