Transcript Highlights:

• It was brought in to reflect a modern understanding of family relationships, ensuring equitable access
• Under Section 40-7-18, service award programs, Section 40-7-18.07, cash, we revised the section title
• In response to another comment in this section, we added clarification that an owner's equitable In response
• to another comment in this section, we added clarification that an owner's equitable share is to be

Summary: The committee approved the March 12, 2026 minutes and granted the Board of Medicine an extension of time to implement rule changes tied to House Bill 1620/1622, which concern North Dakota’s entry into the physician assistant licensure compact. The Board said it is waiting on compact rules, especially fee structures, before finalizing its own rules. The committee then took up extensive Office of Management and Budget personnel rule revisions, covering salary administration, recruitment, leave policies, funeral leave, service awards, appeals, and shared leave. OMB said the changes modernize HR practices and implement recent legislation, including new hire leave and enhanced annual leave for hard-to-fill positions; the committee raised concerns about the subjectivity and fairness of the hard-to-fill leave provisions, but no action was taken against the rules. The North Dakota Lottery presented emergency and regular rule changes, including updates tied to the Millionaire for Life game and miscellaneous clarifications. The Board of Examiners for Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology described rule updates that add speech-language pathology assistants to the rules, ease continuing education requirements for out-of-state applicants, expand temporary licensure, and clarify supervision standards. The State Electrical Board reviewed numerous code updates, including changes to electrical and fire alarm standards, receptacle labeling, countertop receptacles, and a major new conveyance/elevator inspection program added by the Legislature; the board said it is preparing to begin inspections by August 1. The Industrial Commission’s Geological Survey Division presented new rules implementing House Bill 1459 on critical minerals in coal-bearing formations, including permit, reporting, confidentiality, and royalty-related provisions. The committee asked about confidentiality of exploration data and drilling depth. The Public Employees Retirement System outlined rule changes implementing several bills affecting defined benefit, public safety, defined contribution, insurance, deferred compensation, and retiree health credit programs, and noted possible future proposals to add state EMS or create a LOSAP-style plan. The Department of Health and Human Services presented substance use disorder voucher rules implementing House Bill 1012, including allowing individuals to apply directly and setting reimbursement procedures; the rules were expected to have a $250,000 general fund impact already included in the budget. The longest discussion involved the Gaming Commission rules. Members questioned whether the commission had authority to raise poker tournament buy-ins from $300 to $1,500, viewing it as an expansion of gaming rather than a mere clarification. After debate, the committee voted to void that specific rule section for lack of statutory authority. The rest of the gaming rules covered higher raffle limits from House Bill 1192, the change from “bar” to “alcoholic beverage establishment,” veterans’ organization proceeds, credit ticket voucher kiosks, online raffles, and advertising restrictions; the presenter said several public comments led to revisions or withdrawals of proposed language. The meeting ended with discussion of upcoming Ethics Commission travel-reporting rules and scheduling the next committee meeting in September.

Transcript Highlights:

• fight for justice as an ongoing struggle and that each of us has a role to play in shaping a more equitable
• AB 471 will increase participation within local air district boards by providing equitable compensation
• Medi-Cal must be accountable, but also accessible, equitable, and centered on people, not just numbers
• Oscar's leadership and his contribution earned him the Harmon Award in 2008 for promoting unity and diversity

Summary: The Assembly met after a quorum call and prayer, then handled a series of procedural motions, guest introductions, and floor actions. Members welcomed student groups from Hope International University and Vacaville High School, and later recognized several guests connected to public safety dispatch. The chamber also adopted multiple re-referrals and procedural requests, including moving bills between committees and taking up AB 100 on concurrence from the Senate. A major portion of the session was devoted to ACR 34, designating April 14 as Sylvia Mendez Day. Assembly Member Ta and several colleagues spoke in support of honoring Sylvia Mendez and the Mendez v. Westminster case as a landmark in civil rights and school desegregation. The resolution drew extended partisan debate over the framing of the measure and broader issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion, but it ultimately passed on a roll call vote, with the resolution adopted. The Assembly also recognized Dolores Huerta on her 95th birthday through guest introductions and celebratory remarks, then moved through several bills and resolutions. AB 471 on air district board compensation, AB 677 on pupil records and access to screenings for housing-insecure students, ACR 31 designating California Public Safety Telecommunications Week, and AB 1150 on airport customer facility charges all passed. HR 30 recognizing Khmer New Year also was adopted with broad support. The most contentious policy action was AB 100, the early action budget bill. Supporters said it provided funding for wildfire prevention, hospital payments, Medi-Cal, and recovery in Los Angeles fire areas, while opponents criticized the bill for health care spending and high-speed rail. After a failed attempt by Assembly Member DeMaio to amend the bill and an unsuccessful appeal of the chair, the Assembly concurred in the Senate amendments and sent AB 100 to the Governor. The day ended with consent calendar approvals and adjournments in memory for several community members, including Larkin Carol Wells, Carmen O. Perez, and Oscar B. Ramos.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know, as an example, in Umbrella ISD, they were awarded an initial $1 million grant, and within that
• So, we hope that this bill through implementation of tiered support will provide a more equitable and
• many of the Commission's recommendations and these reforms are a crucial step. up towards ensuring equitable
• SB 568 is a vital step forward toward equitable special education funding and we are looking forward

Bills: SB568, SCR5, SB57, SB1447, SB27, SB24

Keywords: special education, funding, individualized education program, visual impairments, accessibility, support services, state education code, SCR 5, Senate Concurrent Resolution 5, Texas School for the Deaf, TSD, Robert Rives, gymnasium naming, building naming, honorary resolution, commemorative resolution, deaf education, hard of hearing, Gallaudet University, alumni hall of fame

Transcript Highlights:

• you know, assign a value... a punishment to a crime and to try to make sure that the system is as equitable
• And so I hope you understand, it's very difficult to make sure that we have an equitable system.
• This will be a nice fat for an award right there.
• it. come up several times with the other bills, the concept of, we need to make sure things are equitable

Bills: HB268, HB305, HB307, HB380, HB548, HB727, HB268, HB305, HB307

Keywords: false reporting, emergency response, criminal penalties, restitution, public safety, penalties, emergency services, public institutions, false reports, criminal penalty, pretrial hearings, criminal competency, legal process, court timelines, restoration of competency, fines, community service, credit, criminal justice, defendants

Transcript Highlights:

• be another much-needed tool to ensure that public safety is achieved in a transparent, fair, and equitable
• Because at the point of just awarding a construction contract, that's essentially been decided.
• Because at the point of just awarding a construction contract, that's essentially been decided.
• Because at the point of just awarding a construction contract, that's essentially been decided.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• take this opportunity to introduce to the House, from the right of the podium, the Atlantico Junior Award
• College Valacena and Lisbon won the Atlantico Junior Award this year, a partnership between Flad and
• Please welcome the Atlantico Junior Award winners to the House. Thank you.
• pull together experts, teachers, and people from our district who will come together and study what equitable

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House took up several procedural orders early in the session, including extending the reporting deadline for the Housing Committee on H.4655 and suspending Joint Rule 12 for a petition seeking to rescind prior Article 5 constitutional convention applications. It then advanced three Ways and Means bills on education-related topics: personal financial literacy education (H.4670), expanded access to the state seal of biliteracy (H.4671), and teacher preparation and student literacy (H.4672), each moving through amendment adoption and third reading or engrossment procedures. A major portion of the meeting focused on H.4670, which would require personal financial literacy instruction in middle and high school and establish a financial literacy trust fund for curriculum and teacher training. Members spoke in support, emphasizing budgeting, credit, student loans, and long-term financial planning, and the bill passed to be engrossed by a 154-0 roll call. H.4671, which broadens access to the seal of biliteracy for students in public and private schools, also drew support and passed to be engrossed 155-0. The most extensive debate centered on H.4672, a literacy bill requiring evidence-based reading instruction, DESE-approved curricula or approved local alternatives, screening and progress monitoring, professional development, and related implementation measures. Members described concerns about declining reading scores and argued for a shift away from three-cueing toward phonics-based, science-of-reading approaches. Several amendments were considered: a proposal to change intervention language from “significantly” to “at risk of falling behind” failed, while amendments adding funding language, stakeholder collaboration, and other implementation details were adopted. One amendment clarifying that pictures may be used as a supplement in literacy curricula was also adopted, and the bill ultimately passed to be engrossed 155-0. The House also observed moments of silence for former Judge Leslie Harris, former Representative Mark Carron, and former Representative Dennis Rosa, and adjourned to meet the next day at 11 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, what we do is fundraise for, or try to receive through our capital awards, a service reserve
• of labor and grassroots organizations united in support of public investment for a more just and equitable
• While we appreciate the legislature's desire for clearer and more equitable rules of the road when it

Transcript Highlights:

• This initiative aims to promote equitable access to high paying jobs by addressing structural barriers
• Also, campus financial aid offices package multiple types of financial aid awards. for students.
• In July of 2021, SB 156 created an open access middle mile network to bring equitable high-speed broadband

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair Champion, members of the committee, our vision is clear: a more just and equitable society where
• A more just and equitable society where children, youth, and families live in supportive communities
• pay while they gain hands-on equitable pay while they gain hands-on experience.<01:26:31.239> The
• We attended the state competition where I was even awarded best knife skills while supreming an orange
• We attended the state competition where I was even awarded best knife skills while supreming an orange

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the activities that are board awarded.
• You'll notice on the awards there at the bottom.
• What we've actually awarded and then what is expended.
• the board approves that award.
• Um, the million, the size of the awards are not as, I think, important to us as the number of the awards

Transcript Highlights:

• In many cases, you notice we awarded 7 out of 8.
• You also see something called the SURE award.
• Now, the third award is called SPARC, and that's a true seed award.
• It needs to be equitable.
• Proposals, and we'll be awarding more of them. So as and when we award these, we'll be updating it.

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• He's a children's author, writing as Grandpa Gardner, and received the Volunteer of the Year Award from
• I think it's important that we have an equitable division of these fees. I will be voting no.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the journal, recorded attendance, and recognized several guests and proclamations, including Arizona Health Workforce Well-Being Day of Awareness, the Doctor of the Day, educators visiting the Capitol, and student guests. The chamber also announced temporary committee replacements and received House messages and bill referrals before moving to floor action. On third reading, the Senate passed SB 1014 on health insurance, SB 1016 on employment practices, SB 1050 on state parks board/veterans park access, SB 1054 on referendum power and emergency measures, SB 1177 on public monies and gender-affirming care, SB 1194 on health care services and vaccination-related treatment issues, SB 1398 on AHCCCS, SB 1751 on capital punishment, and SCR 1049, a constitutional amendment proposal related to capital punishment. Several members explained votes, with supporters emphasizing veterans’ benefits, limits on emergency measure abuse, health care access, and policy changes on capital punishment, while opponents raised concerns about worker protections, local government authority, discrimination against transgender people, and the death penalty. Each measure passed by recorded vote and was transmitted to the House. The Senate also noted upcoming committee meetings, including Health and Human Services the next day, and then adjourned until Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 10 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• How is this equitable? Thank you for that question, Senator. I don't think the goal here is equity.
• There has been additional discussion about potentially a separate pot of money awarded for some sort

Bills: SB1189, SB1295, SB1297, SB1330, SB1333, SB1338, SB1341, SB1344, SB1355, SB1377, SB1378, SB1546, SB1859, SB1946, SB1990, SB1998

Keywords: school security, funding, public schools, security enhancements, resource officers, domestic violence, fatality review, revolving fund, database, public safety, Oklahoma, census accuracy, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, federal census, grassroots outreach, marketing campaign, water infrastructure, Oklahoma Water Resources Board, grants, environmental compliance

Transcript Highlights:

• Your support ensures equitable access for underserved students.
• <04:16:08.600> of grant Award of grant Award of 275,000<04:16:10.479> to<04:16:10.720
• Next, we have Equitable Solutions for the Indigenous. Hi, please receive me.
• I'm with Equitable Solutions for the Indigenous.
• I'm with Equitable Solutions for the Indigenous.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Beginning with the Bilingual Multicultural Education Act, which was passed in 1873, ensures equitable
• reforms, and strengthening accountability and communication between PED and school districts to ensure equitable
• Musical Awards programming that we are continuing to implement.
• As we continue to add languages, we expect that to continue to grow, and the funding awarded to my team

Transcript Highlights:

• North Dakota received approximately $3.5 million annually for Continuum of Care awards.
• And as of May 2026, all awards were directed to be renewed.
• Approximately $3.5 million annually for Continuum of Care awards.
• And as of May 2026, all awards were directed to be renewed.
• North Dakota's rural geography creates additional barriers to timely and equitable access to the full

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• office and getting back how many local communities apply to that particular program and how many awards
• Although the amount of our awards is tiny. expand supplies and welcomes all qualified market entrants
• Although the amount of our awards is tiny. for green spaces.
• Although the amount of our awards is tiny in comparison to the other California climate investments,
• Grants that were awarded are being pulled from the agencies, and the state, unfortunately, has found

Summary: The meeting began with a budget subcommittee hearing on a proposed sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) tax credit trailer bill. Assembly Members Ávila Farías and another member spoke in support, emphasizing union jobs, refinery investments, and the need to decarbonize aviation. The Department of Finance said the Governor’s proposal would provide a $1 to $2 per gallon credit against the diesel excise tax for SAF sold in California from 2026 to 2036. The Legislative Analyst’s Office recommended rejecting the proposal, arguing it is a relatively expensive way to reduce emissions, has uncertain environmental benefits, could significantly reduce transportation revenues, and conflicts with the spirit of voter restrictions on transportation taxes. Committee members questioned whether the credit would mainly benefit out-of-state producers, whether firms would have diesel tax liability to use the credit, and whether the proposal would shift production away from renewable diesel and raise fuel prices. Administration and CARB staff said the credit is intended to support aviation decarbonization, preserve jobs, and help keep California on track toward its 2045 climate goals. LAO and UC Berkeley testimony countered that the policy could mostly subsidize existing technologies, that feedstock supply is limited, and that the net emissions benefit may be small relative to the cost. Members also asked about the effect on local streets and roads, SHOP, and trade corridor funding; Finance estimated a $165 million annual revenue impact would reduce those programs, while LAO said the reductions would mean fewer projects over time. No vote was taken, and the chair said the issue would remain open for further discussion. The committee then moved to a zero-emission vehicle incentive trailer bill proposing a one-time $200 million appropriation to CARB for a new point-of-sale incentive program focused on first-time buyers and leases of new and used light-duty ZEVs. Supporters said the program would help offset the loss of the federal EV tax credit, maintain momentum in California’s ZEV transition, and use a one-to-one match with participating automakers to double the state’s investment. LAO recommended rejection, saying the proposal does not meet the high budget bar this year, lacks enough program detail to evaluate, is unlikely to move sales significantly given the size of the appropriation, and could duplicate existing state and utility programs. Members asked about current incentives across light-, medium-, and heavy-duty sectors, the recent decline in ZEV sales, and whether the program would help lower-income buyers rather than subsidize purchases that would have happened anyway. CARB said the proposal is meant to fill a gap in the light-duty market, where sales fell sharply after the federal credit expired, and noted existing programs for other vehicle classes. The Department of Finance also addressed a separate question about the Motor Vehicle Account, saying a previously planned GGRF transfer was no longer needed because updated forecasts showed the fund had sufficient balances, though LAO said the account still has a structural long-term imbalance. The discussion ended before any vote or action on the ZEV proposal.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then lastly, the equitable participation in the actual committees.
• So the equitable representation, we're not sure if it's there.
• It's akin to the old website awards that you put on your site. It's ludicrous.
• Two scholarships are now awarded. Excuse me, per diem for travel. Two scholarships are now awarded.
• Legislator of the year and now also city of the year awards are given.

Summary: The joint sunset oversight hearing reviewed five regulatory entities: the Board of Behavioral Sciences, the Board of Psychology, the Physician Assistant Board, the Podiatric Medical Board, and the California Massage Therapy Council. Across the hearing, each entity described recent accomplishments, licensing and enforcement workload, workforce shortages, and efforts to modernize processes. Common themes included streamlining licensure, expanding access to care, addressing telehealth or emerging technology, and balancing consumer protection with workforce needs. For the Board of Behavioral Sciences, members discussed workforce shortages in mental health, supervision barriers, telehealth confidentiality, AI in therapy, interstate compacts, school-based services, and military spouse licensure. The board said it has expanded outreach, improved licensing processes, and created temporary practice authority tracking, while also expressing concern about counseling compacts and emphasizing California-specific law, ethics, and cultural competency. Public commenters supported the board’s work and the possible move to a national MFT exam, while also urging more resources. The Board of Psychology highlighted fee adjustments, streamlined licensure pathways, enforcement process improvements, new CPD requirements, and proposed changes including a psychotherapist-client privilege exception for investigations. Committee members and public witnesses focused heavily on that privilege proposal, with some members opposing it as too broad and privacy-invasive, while the board argued it is needed to obtain records in bias and sexual misconduct cases. The board also discussed workforce shortages, processing improvements, and the use of inactive status for psychological associates. The Physician Assistant Board reported growth in the PA workforce and education programs, SB 697 implementation, and financial pressure from rising enforcement costs. The main policy debate centered on physician-to-PA ratios and practice agreements, with board representatives and many public commenters arguing that current restrictions limit access to care, especially in rural areas, while the California Medical Association defended the need for explicit ratios and agreements. The board also discussed AI, fee increases, and tracking temporary practice authority. The Podiatric Medical Board described licensing and renewal reforms, residency expansion, enforcement support, and budget constraints, while public testimony raised concerns about a proposed fee increase and about reimbursement parity and practice recognition for podiatrists. Finally, the California Massage Therapy Council defended the certification model over licensure, citing lower costs, local government collaboration, anti-trafficking work, and its role in vetting applications and disciplining bad actors; no formal votes or final actions were taken during this portion of the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• ’re willing to work on a various amount of issues that will progress this industry in a fair and equitable
• ’re willing to work on a various amount of issues that will progress this industry in a fair and equitable
• But if you look at the Beard award winners and finalists, they have produced a similar or larger amount
• But if you look at the Beard award winners and finalists, they have produced a similar or larger amount
• Instead of sending me the Shaboomi null 2015 award-winning Chardonnay, why don't you send me some 2014

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• just as picture a homeschool family that gains eligibility through the ESA framework and they're awarded
• The notion that the way to create the most effective, efficient, and equitable way to provide education
• state currently evaluates their programs with all four critical data points necessary to ensure equitable
• Kennedy School Award for Innovation, and that's Harvard University.
• I think it needs to be, if you’re going to distribute the funding equitably and it’s limited dollars,

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 convened with a quorum, adopted its committee rules, and heard opening remarks from members introducing staff and outlining priorities for the session. Several senators emphasized support for public education, teacher pay and safety, parental choice, and the combined K-16 jurisdiction of the committee. The chair also reviewed hearing procedures, including public testimony registration and time limits. The main item was Senate Bill 2, the Texas Education Freedom Act, laid out by Chairman Creighton. He described the bill as an education savings account program intended to expand school choice, with a $200 million universal eligibility pool and an additional $800 million targeted to students with disabilities and lower-income families. He said the bill includes anti-fraud safeguards, criminal background checks for vendors, reporting requirements, data protections, and annual testing for participating students, while not imposing STAAR on private schools or homeschoolers. He also said the bill removes a prior hold-harmless provision for public schools and is separate from public school funding and teacher pay legislation. Members questioned the bill’s income threshold, lottery and priority structure, treatment of homeschoolers, microschools, charter schools, religious freedom protections, citizenship/lawful presence language, cybersecurity, open records, and disability-related issues, including whether 504 students and foster children should be included. Creighton said the bill is designed to prioritize former public school students with disabilities or lower incomes, while also allowing universal eligibility within the program’s first funding tier, and that the Comptroller would oversee vendor screening and cybersecurity rules. He said the bill does not direct curriculum or interfere with religious beliefs and that amendments may be offered later on citizenship and other issues. After member questions, the committee began invited testimony, starting with EdChoice representative Robert Inlow, who testified in support of SB 2 and cited national growth in school choice programs and studies he said show positive effects for students and public schools.