Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to take the time to represent and to acknowledge the champions that we have on the chamber floor
• to take the time to represent<00:21:50.799> and<00:21:50.960> to<00:21:51.240> acknowledge
• <00:21:52.120> the represent and to acknowledge the represent and to acknowledge the Champions

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It acknowledges that chair, members of this committee. Thank chair, members of this committee.
• <00:14:54.160> It<00:14:54.480> acknowledges<00:14:54.959> that Lastly, I stand
• girlfriend, auntie, tutu, sister, or mother working in this industry, would you want her employer to acknowledge
• girlfriend, auntie, tutu, sister, or mother working in this industry, would you want her employer to acknowledge

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So why isn't that public testimony, public acknowledgment good enough?
• I just want to acknowledge the work behind the scenes to address this question.
• It does impact... ...acknowledge the work behind the scenes to address this question.
• Thank you, Chair. acknowledge the work behind the scenes to address this question.

Summary: The Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee met with a quorum present and considered five bills. The first, PCS for HB 987, was an honorary transportation facility designation bill naming several roads and an overpass for fallen officers, a military service member, and first responders. An amendment added the Sheriff Gary S. Borders Memorial Highway designation in Lake County. Members offered supportive remarks, and the bill passed 17-0. The committee then heard HB 703, which would require authorities such as FDOT or local governments to pay the costs when they require telecom providers to relocate infrastructure from public rights-of-way. Support came from Charter Communications, Associated Industries of Florida, and Florida Internet and Television, with discussion focused on the communication services tax and the cost burden of relocations. The bill passed unanimously 18-0. HB 1523 followed, addressing municipal utilities serving customers outside their boundaries by requiring public meetings, annual reporting, limits on transfers to general revenue, and reduced or eliminated surcharges for outside-boundary customers. Municipal utility representatives opposed parts of the bill, citing rural impacts, debt obligations, and the need for a glide path, while supporters argued for transparency and fairness to ratepayers outside municipal boundaries. An amendment changed a reporting date to January 31, 2026, and the bill passed 14-4. HB 867 established a legal framework for commuter rail operations along Florida’s coastal corridor, including insurance and indemnification arrangements for Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties using the Florida East Coast Railway right-of-way. An amendment clarified that Florida East Coast Railway and Brightline are not state entities and do not have sovereign immunity unless expressly provided by law. The bill passed 18-0. Finally, HB 1137 clarified a prior energy preemption law by adding boards, agencies, commissions, and authorities of counties and municipal corporations to the entities covered, aimed at preventing discriminatory energy-source practices by an appointed board. Public testimony included support from the Florida Natural Gas Association and the Florida Home Builders Association and opposition from Florida Student Power. Members noted the bill was a cleanup measure, and it passed favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, but I also acknowledge that should a measure like this be adopted, it could play into the extension
• <00:30:09.080> but<00:30:09.200> I<00:30:09.399> also<00:30:09.960> acknowledg
• <00:30:10.600> that aquifer um but I also acknowledg that aquifer um but I also acknowledg

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Any other things you guys are doing to kind of acknowledge the closeness?
• are doing to any other things you guys are doing to kind<00:05:00.919> of<00:05:01.080> acknowledge
• <00:05:01.600> the<00:05:02.320> closeness<00:05:03.160> sure kind of acknowledge
• the closeness sure kind of acknowledge the closeness sure you<00:05:03.600> know<00:05:04.000

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And but I do acknowledge my 100%.
• um, I think we have to just acknowledge um, I think we have to just acknowledge that<04:15:31.760
• > the<04:17:54.000> appeals let's just acknowledge that the appeals let's just acknowledge
• I do acknowledge that again we do dabble in policy from time to time.
• I do acknowledge that again we do dabble in policy from time to time.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But one leader said they acknowledge the critical importance of Hennepin to our whole ecosystem.
• So there's acknowledgment of the immediacy of the issues for Hennepin.
• So there's acknowledgment of the immediacy of the issues for Hennepin.
• So there's acknowledgment of the immediacy of the issues for Hennepin.
• So I think it's important also to acknowledge, and one of the things I really wanted to share with the

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:24:03.280> is<01:24:03.440> real acknowledge is real acknowledge is real M<01:24:06.040
• <01:28:56.000> you<01:28:56.159> can acknowledgement you can acknowledgement you can build
• <01:39:09.119> that things you you have to acknowledge that things you you have to acknowledge
• <01:41:06.520> that<01:41:06.800> the<01:41:07.800> um up the acknowledgments
• that the um up the acknowledgments that the um property<01:41:08.679> owner<01:41:08.960>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The new statement fails to acknowledge that New Hampshire's energy security truly lies in acknowledging
• that the only energy acknowledge that the only energy resources<00:24:48.120> we<00:24:48.360
• that New Hampshire's to acknowledge that New Hampshire's energy<00:26:22.159> security<00:26:
• Look, Democrats acknowledge that we'll be burning fossil fuels in New Hampshire for a long time.
• Democrats acknowledge that we'll be burning fossil fuels in New Hampshire for a long time.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Other states have recognized this imbalance through vendor compensation programs that acknowledge retailers
• Other states have recognized this imbalance through vendor compensation programs that acknowledge retailers
• give a credit off the state tax because they've collected the revenue for the state, and you're acknowledging
• It's an acknowledgement that your retailers are doing the job of tax collector.
• I appreciate you acknowledging that.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Legislative Commission on the Future of Payments and Sales Transactions by Credit Card and the Impacts for Small Businesses held a public hearing focused on interchange fees, sales tax and tip processing, chargebacks, fraud, surcharging, and the broader future of payment systems. Chair Paul Feeney and co-chair Rep. Jamie Murphy opened by explaining the commission’s charge and inviting testimony from small businesses, industry groups, banks, and policy experts. Representative Sean Garballey testified first, arguing that Massachusetts tourism depends on universal card acceptance and stable interchange, and urging the commission not to disrupt the current system ahead of major events expected to bring millions of visitors to the Commonwealth. A large portion of the hearing featured independent restaurant owners and advocates describing thin margins and the burden of paying percentage-based processing fees on sales tax and tips that are not business revenue. Jen Ziskin, Kristen Canty, Nancy Cushman, Kerry Colzer, and others said restaurants often operate on very small profits and that processing fees on taxes and gratuities can amount to tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. Ryan Lotz also urged reforms to chargebacks, including refunding chargeback fees when merchants prevail, requiring consumers to contact businesses before disputing charges, and limiting repeat abuse. Commission members pressed witnesses on whether tax and tip amounts could be separated at the point of sale, and several witnesses said current consumer card systems do not transmit that level of detail. Testimony from credit union, banking, and payments representatives largely opposed state-level changes that would carve out taxes or tips from interchange, warning of compliance burdens, higher costs, reduced rewards, and possible effects on fraud protection and access to credit. Alex Verine of America’s Credit Unions and Deb Peters and Keely McEwen of the Electronic Payments Coalition said the payment system is complex, that interchange funds fraud prevention and network infrastructure, and that new state mandates could create operational and legal uncertainty. Dan Swanson argued states have authority to act and pointed to Illinois litigation and federal court rulings, while Julian Morris and Brad Popolado emphasized the benefits of card acceptance, the decline of cash, and the need to consider other payment methods and check fraud as well. Several witnesses discussed international payment systems, instant payments, and QR standards as possible future directions. The chairs and members engaged in extended back-and-forth with witnesses about whether Massachusetts could exempt sales tax from swipe fees, whether surcharging should be revisited, and whether vendor compensation or other targeted relief might be more workable than broad changes to interchange. No votes were taken. At the close of the hearing, the chairs said the commission would hold one additional public hearing date to be determined, after which members would begin developing next steps and a report.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I would certainly acknowledge that. There was an area of great interest.
• And I would acknowledge, and I know you know this well, but I will acknowledge also that Mass Ready includes
• Yes, so it's meant to be an interim acknowledgment. So it wasn't a particular formula.
• It was intended to just be an interim acknowledgment. That's helpful. That's really helpful.
• And again, I really appreciate the interim acknowledgment. I think our communities do too.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a hearing on natural and working lands, carbon sequestration, and related provisions in Governor Healey’s $3 billion Mass Ready Act. EEA officials described the bill’s investments in flooding, land protection, tree planting, wetlands restoration, biodiversity, dams, seawalls, and coastal resilience, along with permitting reforms intended to speed ecological restoration projects. They also outlined current programs on resilient lands, healthy soils, forest climate solutions, forest reserves, and urban tree planting, and said the administration expects natural and working lands to offset up to 7 million metric tons of residual emissions by 2050, while acknowledging that additional strategies will be needed to close the gap to the state’s 10-million-ton offset target. Committee members pressed EEA on the cost of reaching the 30% conservation-by-2030 goal, the loss of a federal USDA grant of about $22 million, the adequacy of current sequestration estimates, and whether the state should consider regional approaches or statutory changes. EEA said current state conservation spending has been about $35 million to $40 million annually, that the Mass Ready Act is intended to help double the pace of conservation, and that federal funding remains uncertain. Senators also raised concerns about PILOT payments for state-owned land, the management of state forests, and the proposed Chapter 91 general license for restoration projects. EEA said the bill’s forest reserve language is meant to create a more durable designation process while still allowing limited active management. Advocates from The Nature Conservancy and Mass Audubon supported stronger investment in land conservation and restoration, saying natural and working lands are a cost-effective climate strategy that also provides biodiversity, water quality, and public health benefits. They urged passage of legislation to increase funding, improve PILOT equity, and strengthen land-use planning and mitigation requirements. They also backed removing Chapter 91 licensing requirements for ecological restoration, arguing that the current process adds cost and delay. In a later panel, a forest scientist and an urban forestry advocate emphasized the carbon and cooling benefits of mature trees, called for greater protection of older forests, and supported bills to expand municipal reforestation and modernize public shade tree law. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, the CSU San Luis Obispo program explored Black and Indigenous solidarity and acknowledged the
• By acknowledging the crisis, we affirm a commitment to visibility, to justice, and to the dignity of
• We acknowledge and honor the leadership of tribal nations, advocates, and families who have tirelessly
• acknowledging the land that they're standing on, the land that you're moving pieces of legislation for
• But it starts at home with the lands that you represent and acknowledging California's first people from

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and pledge, then handled a long daily file with several procedural motions and guest introductions. Members also adopted a resolution recognizing CASA volunteers and welcomed student, school, sports, and community groups to the chamber. The body approved a motion to suspend rules for several procedural purposes, including moving bills between committees and allowing a bill to be heard on shortened notice. On the floor, the Assembly concurred in Senate amendments to AB 1389, which ratifies and extends a tribal-state gaming compact with the Yurok Tribe through December 31, 2026. Members then passed a series of bills on third reading, including AB 1632 on removing the notarization requirement for trespass letters, AB 2380 on county pest control fee authority, AB 2080 on county investment delegation, AB 2149 on reporting pupil achievement gaps, AB 1625 on Sacramento Regional Transit board meeting and stipend changes, AB 2179 on expanding e-filing for workplace violence restraining orders, and AB 2753 barring registered sex offenders from running for or holding elected office. AB 2636, AB 1544, AB 1637, AB 2534, and AB 2595 also passed, addressing juvenile firearm possession, court access, medical record integrity, forced marriage protections, and local e-bike restrictions for children under 12 in San Mateo County. The Assembly adopted several resolutions, including ACR 173 reaffirming California’s sister-state relationship with Jalisco, ACR 163 designating May as Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Awareness Month, ACR 180 designating Compost Awareness Week, and ACR 182 establishing Youth Mental Health Awareness Week. These resolutions drew extensive supportive remarks from members across caucuses, with strong emphasis on Indigenous justice, mental health, agriculture, and environmental stewardship. AB 108, a budget bill providing up to $25 million in emergency bridge funding for distressed hospitals, received broad bipartisan support and was sent to the Governor immediately after concurrence in Senate amendments. The chamber also added coauthors to multiple resolutions and removed AB 2512 and AB 1956 from the consent calendar at the author’s request.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we acknowledge you in all our ways. And we pray that you will direct our path. We love you.
• I just want to acknowledge my support. It's great to have Luna here. I welcome them as well.
• I just wanted to acknowledge that. And thank you for being here. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• I just want to acknowledge and say thank you for all the work that Luna is doing and for acknowledging
• But that is it, and so I just wanted to acknowledge the items that were left on your desk.

Bills: HB1

Keywords: feed bill, legislative appropriations, legislative branch, New Mexico Legislature, general fund, legislative council service, legislative finance committee, legislative education study committee, house chief clerk, senate chief clerk, per diem, mileage, session expenses, interim committees, district staff, capitol complex, capital outlay data system, legislative processing system, redistricting, census redistricting

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's acknowledge the gold forcibly extracted from Jewish teeth, melted down to make gold bars hidden
• As we acknowledge the Holocaust as a time of history, we must also recognize that hate and targeting
• I also want to acknowledge our colleague from Sunnyvale, who has done so much to make today possible.
• I also want to acknowledge our colleague from Sunnyvale, who has done so much to make today possible.
• last year's related bills posed a huge threat to affordable growth in our region, but I want to acknowledge

Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum, and opened with a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance. Members then handled several procedural motions, including suspending rules to allow committee hearings and guest access, re-referring bills, and removing one bill from the consent calendar. The chamber also observed Holocaust Remembrance Day with a lengthy ceremony and remarks from many members across caucuses, emphasizing the importance of remembering the Holocaust, combating antisemitism and other forms of hate, and supporting survivors and descendants. ACR 59, the California Holocaust Memorial Day resolution, was adopted by voice vote after 76 coauthors were added. After the ceremony, the Assembly took up the daily file. AB 390, which strengthens California’s “slow down, move over” highway safety law, passed 64-0. AB 439, making small changes to the Coastal Act and reporting requirements, passed 44-11 after debate over Coastal Commission oversight. The body also approved a rules waiver to allow the Education Committee to meet on AB 1468. Later, AB 50, allowing Medi-Cal enrollees to access over-the-counter contraceptives without a prescription, passed 67-0 urgency and 67-0 overall; AB 55, streamlining alternative birth center licensing, passed 68-0; AB 596, protecting workers’ right to wear masks or respirators unless there is a direct safety hazard, passed 53-8; AB 631, requiring animal shelters to post intake and outcome data, passed 60-0; and AB 792, allowing consolidated negotiations for court interpreter contracts, passed 52-1. The Assembly also passed AB 867, banning cat declawing, by 68-0 after bipartisan support; AB 1089, expanding local permitting authority for Western Joshua Tree projects, by 16-0; and AB 1154, clarifying ADU rules, by 63-1. SCR 57, proclaiming Dolores Huerta Day, was adopted 66-0. The second-day consent calendar was then adopted 71-0. The session concluded with adjournment-in-memory remarks for Mary Hammer, a longtime San Lorenzo Valley community leader and environmental advocate, followed by recognition of her family and friends in the chamber.

Transcript Highlights:

• We acknowledge that some of the enhanced prevention measures could result in mandated cost reimbursement
• Before going any further, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the victims of those reprehensible acts
• I want to thank you for starting by acknowledging the survivors of these sexual assaults.
• Or within five years of acknowledgement of the assault, if you will, of the offense, right?
• If it's been repressed in some fashion and then through therapy or other means, they're now acknowledging

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Accountability and Transparency held a hearing focused on three issues: federal funding cuts and delays, possible state revenue impacts from reduced IRS enforcement, and the fiscal effects of AB 218 on local governments. The Franchise Tax Board described how state and federal tax systems are closely linked, how most returns are filed electronically through software, and how FTB relies on IRS information sharing for compliance, fraud prevention, offsets, and nonfiler work. Members raised concerns that federal staffing cuts at the IRS could weaken audits of large corporations and reduce California revenue, and asked about VITA and ITIN filers; FTB said it was not aware of VITA reductions, noted ITIN returns are processed the same as other returns, and said ITIN filing appeared slightly down this year. The Department of Finance said it is monitoring federal developments, summarized the continuing resolution and reconciliation process, and noted that California lost nearly $940 million in earmarked federal projects under the CR, while major federal budget decisions remain uncertain until the President’s budget and later congressional action. The University of California reported substantial federal pressure on research, student aid, and health care. UC said hundreds of millions of dollars in federal awards have already been canceled, with additional threats to NIH and DOE facilities-and-administration rates, graduate fellowships, student loan repayment plans, international student visas, Pell Grants, and Medicaid/Medi-Cal funding. Committee members pressed UC on the effects of DEIA-related federal restrictions, the loss of clinical trials and research staff, and the impact on low-income students and patients. UC said it is pursuing litigation with the Attorney General and other institutions, but emphasized that court action is only a temporary solution and that sustained state and private support may be needed. The second panel addressed the fiscal consequences of AB 218, which extended the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse claims against public agencies. FCMAT presented a report with 22 recommendations, including better statewide data collection, financing mechanisms, a possible victims compensation fund, and prevention measures. Los Angeles County described a tentative $4 billion settlement tied to AB 218 claims, saying it will require reserves, borrowing, and long-term annual payments through 2050, while also forcing curtailments and cuts to vacant positions to preserve services. Members discussed insurance pools, retroactive premiums, unidentified future claims, and the need for a compensation fund or other financing tools. No formal votes were taken; the hearing concluded with public comment, including testimony from local health officials about nearly $400 million in terminated federal public health grants and the resulting layoffs and service impacts.

Transcript Highlights:

• I also, before we call our panelists, want to acknowledge our committee members, Assemblymember Soria
• You have to always acknowledge your staff, because they're as good as your team, so thank you both for
• And they're not maybe necessarily the high road jobs that you're focused on, but acknowledging that there
• I just wanted to acknowledge the incredible work that GO-Biz has done under this blueprint in my district
• With that we have a public comment that we want to acknowledge.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and the other thing I think it's important for us to acknowledge in that context, and I want — I'm
• in that context and I want acknowledge in that context and I want I'm<00:33:49.120> grateful<
• is that there are women in acknowledge is that there are women in Ag<00:33:57.960> who<00:33:
• that the one of the highest acknowledge that the one of the highest ranking<00:34:12.359> members
• I just want to start by also acknowledging Ms.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to begin by acknowledging the hard work performed by Dr.
• We've acknowledged that this is serious. It needs to stop. It is stopping.
• And I think that's an important thing to acknowledge.
• And I think that's an important thing to acknowledge.
• We have the legislative acknowledge.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the existence of dignity and acknowledge the existence of gender gender gender diversity<00:11:55.079
• Even the antivaxer health secretary Robert Kennedy acknowledged the seriousness of the situation, said
• the seriousness of Kennedy acknowledged the seriousness of the<00:19:27.360> situation<00:19:
• Referring this bill to Judiciary Committee is not just a procedural decision; it is an acknowledgement
• Referring this bill to Judiciary Committee is not just a procedural decision; it is an acknowledgement

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I just think it's important to acknowledge that as we move forward. >> Uh, Representative Murray.
• So, I just think it's important to acknowledge that as we move forward. >> Uh, Representative Murray.
• > is<00:16:08.800> going<00:16:08.880> to<00:16:09.040> put acknowledging
• that as we it's important to acknowledge that as we move<00:16:18.560> forward.
• acknowledge what you're doing? acknowledge what you're doing?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The meeting opened with brief remarks honoring Harry Bean after his death on February 14, with members describing him as a larger-than-life figure, a valued colleague, and a friend whose conversations and presence will be missed. The committee then moved to vehicle title bills, beginning with HB 1421, which would change title exemptions for older motor vehicles. DMV witnesses explained the fiscal note was based on 2024 new title applications for vehicles in the affected age range and represented a high-end estimate; members discussed whether the bill would actually be revenue-neutral because reduced title revenue would be offset by reduced staffing work. There was also clarification that the bill applies to cars and regular trucks, not heavy trucks or tractor trailers, and that owners could still obtain titles if they met proof-of-ownership requirements. Members noted antique cars would largely be unaffected because they are already exempt. HB 1421 was moved on an OTP motion and passed 9-8. The committee next considered HB 1466, a related title bill narrowed to boat trailers. Members again raised concerns about lost revenue, but the sponsor and DMV witness said the fiscal note was a high-water estimate and that the bill would likely be close to a wash because the department would save on title-processing costs. The witness also explained that VIN verification, when needed, can be done by local police or a dealership, but not for every trailer title. Members discussed the low value and infrequent resale of older boat trailers, and the bill was described as a practical policy change. HB 1466 was moved OTP and passed 8-0. Finally, the committee discussed HB 1483, which would create a special ham radio operator plate with a lightning bolt symbol and call sign. The sponsor explained an amendment was needed because the bill had mistakenly referred to a House and Senate Ways and Means Committee; the fix would treat the plate under existing vanity plate law. DMV witnesses said the plate would be optional, would require legislative approval, and would function like other special decal plates, which are generally limited to nonprofit-related or legislatively authorized uses. Members asked whether the plate would generate revenue, and DMV confirmed vanity plates carry an added fee that does produce revenue. Discussion focused on the plate’s practical purpose for identifying ham operators, especially in emergencies, and on whether it might set a precedent for other special-interest plates.