Transcript Highlights:

• Senator from Washington: Thank you, Mr. President.
• data center deployment, and that the bill be committed to the Committee on Natural Resources and Energy
• The Senator from Washington has moved that the Senate Finance Committee be relieved of H. 727, an act
• data center deployment, and that the bill be committed to the Committee on Natural Resources and Energy
• Are you ready for Resources and Energy. Are you ready for the<00:07:51.960><c> question?

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So there's a part of our code. You send your, to my staff, that provision in the code.
• So there's a provision in the state code that mandates. You only hire certified teachers?
• It really started all in the state of Washington with a fellow by the name of Earl Schreiner.
• In the United States, there's 21 programs, 20 states and one federal per client.
• They're state-owned facilities.

Committee: House Corrections

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> transportation and energy after transportation and energy after consideration<00:40:17.440><c> on
• </c> Members, on behalf of the Colorado State Members, on behalf of the Colorado State Senate,<00:44:
• </c> Employment Security Act to other state Employment Security Act to other state labor<01:25:20.080
• </c> this bill uh transfers a core state this bill uh transfers a core state regulatory<02:26:23.680>
• </c> of homeowners insurance in the state. of homeowners insurance in the state.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Bless our state with prosperity, peace and unity.
• HR number 127 by Darby recognizing February 4, 2025 as Texas Energy Day at the state Capitol.
• States.
• Because of our energy economy, Texas enjoys some of the lowest gas and energy prices in the country.
• On January 30th, grandparents from across the state of Texas came here to their Texas State Capitol to

Transcript Highlights:

• You're the only people in this state that can write laws.
• I have former state senator Justine Wadsack, stand up.
• We have former and future state senator Anthony Kern.
• My dad was in the state service for over 30 years.
• And last but not least, as always, as an Arizona state senator and a citizen of this great state, I stand

Summary: The Arizona Senate convened for opening day of the second regular session of the 57th Legislature with ceremonial prayers, the presentation of colors, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the national anthem. Senate President Warren Petersen gave a farewell-style address highlighting his efforts to shift power toward members and committee chairs, preserve conservative policies, and deliver annual tax cuts, including a projected $1 billion cut this year. The chamber then recessed for an opening-day speech by Grand Canyon University President Brian Mueller, who spoke about Arizona’s labor-force needs, workforce training, and GCU’s role in expanding access to education and middle-class jobs, including apprenticeships and technical programs tied to local employers. After returning to order, the Senate adopted its organizational rules for the session, including suspending rules so bills and resolutions could be read by number and short title only on first and second reading and by number and title only on third and final reading. Members also approved a motion to notify the House and Governor that the Senate was organized and ready for business, and the House later reported that it was likewise organized. The chamber then adopted a proposed amendment to Senate Rule 7A and the rules of the 57th Legislature, and the President announced committee assignments for standing and statutory committees, including Appropriations, Education, Finance, Government, Military Affairs and Border Security, Natural Resources, Rules, Legislative Council, Legislative Audit, and the Joint Legislative Budget Committee. The remainder of the session focused on points of personal privilege, with senators introducing family members, constituents, local officials, school leaders, law enforcement officers, tribal leaders, and advocacy guests. Several members used the occasion to emphasize issues they expect to work on this session, including education, public safety, housing, water, early childhood services, veterans, border security, and workforce development. The Senate also received a motion to request House consent for an adjournment schedule, and the body adjourned until Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 1:15 p.m. after announcing upcoming committee meetings and the first batch of bill introductions and references.

Transcript Highlights:

• So after looking at the other states, again, we also looked within Washington.
• because the legal acceptance of such a fee in Washington State is uncertain.
• that was established by the Washington State Supreme Court in Covell v.
• Washington State Supreme Court in Covell v.
• Washington State chose to use this because it does... ...nationally.

Committees: Joint Transportation , Joint Joint Transportation Committee

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• State your motion. motion, Mr. Speaker. State your motion.
• Now, I would say it's produced energy. Now, I would say it's produced in<00:36:09.119><c> state.
• </c> of state. The money stays in state. of state. The money stays in state.
• </c><00:39:45.480><c> credits,</c><00:39:46.480><c> state</c> credits, renewable energy credits, state
• credits, renewable energy credits, state grants<00:39:47.359><c> and</c><00:39:47.720><c> loans,</c>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, so, and just briefly, it’s all based on state Penal Code sections that define hate crime.
• The victim stated that the suspect followed close behind her and continued to call her queer and stated
• And we've actually drilled down into certain zip codes where we are working directly with that zip code
• It should be going to our State Department.
• Because I think the state has a state interest, right, in ensuring that state residents can go to our

Summary: The Select Committee on Racism, Hate, and Xenophobia met to hear from Los Angeles County officials and community advocates about rising hate, discrimination, and xenophobia, with opening remarks emphasizing the need for stronger anti-hate infrastructure, community-based reporting, and state support. Assemblymember Lowenthal noted the broader economic and social impacts of discrimination, and the committee framed the hearing around understanding local conditions and identifying legislative responses. Los Angeles County Human Relations Commission Executive Director Robin Toma presented county hate-crime data showing record-high levels in 2024, with racial/ethnic hate crimes remaining the largest category and anti-Black hate crimes the most common. He also highlighted high levels of anti-Latino, anti-Jewish, anti-Muslim, anti-LGBTQ, and anti-transgender hate, the role of underreporting, and the county’s L.A. vs. Hate system for reporting and victim support. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said it uses hate-crime and hate-incident data to guide proactive patrols, community outreach, and training, and discussed the need to build trust amid immigration enforcement fears that discourage reporting. Community organizations described how current political rhetoric and federal immigration enforcement are intensifying fear and underreporting. LULAC called for multilingual, culturally competent reporting systems, prevention education, and stronger support for grassroots organizations. The Jewish Federation of Los Angeles described severe anti-Semitism, increased security costs, and the need for safe worship protections, security grants, and Holocaust education. The NAACP emphasized the continuing impact of anti-Black racism and the need for cross-community solidarity, while the Los Angeles LGBT Center highlighted rising anti-trans violence and urged funding for gender-affirming care, LGBTQ centers, and reauthorization of California vs. Hate. CHIRLA and CAIR California both described heightened fear among immigrants and Muslims, workplace discrimination, and the need for stronger civil-rights protections, data collection, and community-based reporting. No formal votes were taken. The discussion focused on policy ideas and funding priorities, including improved law-enforcement training, alternative sentencing or diversion for hate offenders, protections for houses of worship, and continued or expanded funding for California vs. Hate, Stop Hate, and related programs. Committee members and witnesses repeatedly stressed that hate is underreported, that words and leadership rhetoric matter, and that California should continue investing in prevention, response, and healing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Moreover, the State Constitution and the Education Code currently require that all of the State Superintendent
• state?
• be a state superintendent, but... ...be a state board of education, it requires there be a state superintendent
• In this state, the state superintendent has none of that.
• Every other state department, Every other state department, every other state agency, has an upgrade

Summary: The joint Senate Education and Budget Committee hearing focused on the Governor’s proposed education governance overhaul, which would shift day-to-day management of the California Department of Education from the elected Superintendent of Public Instruction to a new appointed education commissioner, while giving the Superintendent new voting roles on the State Board of Education and the Community College Board of Governors. Chair Perez opened by stressing that the proposal raises major policy questions beyond the budget process and should be evaluated for its effect on students, local control, and accountability. Brooks Allen of the State Board of Education argued the change would unify policymaking and implementation, reduce fragmented authority, and create clearer accountability, citing decades of reports criticizing California’s “crazy quilt” governance structure and noting the proposal is timed for the 2026 transition. Amber Alexander of the Department of Finance outlined the fiscal and staffing transfers, describing the plan as largely cost-neutral and explaining how positions would shift between the State Board, the Department, and the new Superintendent’s office over 2026-27 and 2027-28. Sarah Cortez of the Legislative Analyst’s Office said the LAO supports shifting management to an appointed commissioner but recommended several refinements: preserving legislative oversight, requiring Senate confirmation of the commissioner, clearly defining the Superintendent’s duties as a public representative/advisor/evaluator, and refining the State Board’s role to focus on major policies requiring public input. She also said the fiscal plan should be cost-neutral and more fully specified. Senators raised concerns about the timing during an election year, the constitutional status of the Superintendent, whether the proposal should instead be a constitutional amendment, and whether governance changes actually improve student outcomes or simply rearrange the org chart. Some members questioned whether the proposal would confuse voters and undermine democratic accountability, while others said the current structure is already confusing and that the reform could improve clarity for districts and local boards. The discussion also covered how curriculum is set, with LAO explaining that the Legislature has broad authority but has delegated much curriculum work to the State Board and the Instructional Quality Commission. Members asked how the new structure would affect local districts, who they would call for guidance, and whether the commissioner would have authority over policy; the presenters said policy authority would remain with the State Board, while the commissioner would handle administration and implementation. No votes were taken during the panel discussion, and the hearing was organized to continue with additional panels and public comment later in the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• number of abortions in the state.
• Every year in our state. Members, today is Redemption Day.
• The amendment to the amendment is coded A.
• They are not regulated by the state.
• Many of them are subsidized by the state and by insurance.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um I am State &gt;&gt; Good morning.
• We are a non-coastal state.
• Um and and that those the state.
• </c> morning, what's coming out of Washington morning, what's coming out of Washington is<00:30:30.159
• Like I said, many states have office. Like I said, many states have this<00:32:43.600><c> already.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Disaster Prevention and Resiliency Task Force opened its sixth meeting by approving the minutes and then taking up a presentation from University of Pikeville representatives and local leaders on an Eastern Kentucky Disaster Relief Center at Bear Mountain in Pike County. Speakers included Greg May, Rep. Ashley Tacket Laferty, Lori Worth, and Laura Damron. They described repeated flooding and other disasters in eastern Kentucky, the lack of a single prepared relief location, and the need for a centralized, elevated site that could serve as a flood and broader natural-disaster hub. The presenters said the Bear Mountain property, about 530 acres and well above flood levels, could support a multi-use facility combining disaster response functions with university and community uses. Proposed features included a command and communications center, distribution space, emergency shelter, medical and clinic support, food service, restroom facilities, RV hookups, and an indoor track/distribution building. They emphasized that the project would help avoid disrupting existing venues such as the Pikeville Expo Center and Jenny Wiley State Resort Park, while also supporting tourism and economic recovery. Committee members asked about community and emergency-management support, annual operating costs, and resilience standards such as tornado-related building codes. In response, the presenters said local stakeholders, including Appalachian Wireless, Pikeville Medical Center, Community Trust Bank, the city of Pikeville, and emergency management officials, had expressed support. They said the university planned to absorb some operating costs through multiple uses of the facility, community camps, and budgeted maintenance, and that construction documents were nearly complete with plans to begin building within months. After the presentation, the chair thanked the presenters and moved the committee into its recommendations discussion, noting the broader fiscal and humanitarian importance of disaster preparedness and resiliency and indicating that future legislation would likely follow from the task force’s work.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, they are living off of Social Security. amendment is coded A6. amendment is coded A6.
• </c><00:05:08.639><c> including</c> communities across the state including communities across the state
• And that's state government as a whole.
• </c><00:31:46.480><c> where</c> Louisis County Lake in Washington where Louisis County Lake in Washington
• Um, and because if in the entire state.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We'd like to give a few comments about what we just heard from Governor Walz and his State of the State
• We know when you hear fingerpointing to Washington and the things that may be happening in Washington
• We can do much better in this state. We are one of the highest-tax states in the nation.
• </c> bridges, uh fixing and lowering energy bridges, uh fixing and lowering energy costs,<00:02:10.560
• So we went from a $52 billion state budget up to a $72 billion state budget in two years.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> that belong at the state level. that belong at the state level.
• </c><00:03:51.720><c> investment</c> and appropriate state-level investment and appropriate state-level
• Thank you very much. local trades, uh as as stated by Mr. local trades, uh as as stated by Mr.
• Uh the bill language is the state.
• </c> on the most at-risk areas of the state on the most at-risk areas of the state like<00:46:09.480>

Bills: HF4211 , HF3426 , HF4819 , HF3466 , HF3793 , HF3339

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: air pollution, lead emissions, continuous emissions monitoring system, CEMS, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, MPCA, environmental monitoring, emission compliance, air quality, public health, industrial pollution, permitted facility, residential exposure, toxic metals, emission limits, pollution control, stack monitoring, real-time emissions monitoring, natural resources, environment

Transcript Highlights:

• that reports that are absolutely integral to the success of Washington State.
• So we, the, these kinds of betting already take place in Washington State.
• But there are states across the nation taking the lead—Nevada, New Jersey, Utah, Washington State—and
• from Washington State University. ...from Washington State University.
• Illegal markets remove revenue from Washington State.

Summary: The committee began in executive session with staff briefing several bills and proposed amendments. House Bill 2206, concerning uniformed and overseas civilian voting standards, was discussed but ultimately pulled from consideration for the day. House Bill 2123, dealing with foreign national donor reporting, was amended to raise the certification threshold to $6,000 and then advanced from committee on a 5-2 vote. House Bill 2120, which would remove two JLARC reporting requirements, also passed unanimously. House Bill 2411, authorizing shared leave for state employees involved in immigration enforcement actions or who are victims of hate crimes, was amended and then reported out on a 5-2 vote after debate over eligibility and privacy-related language. The committee then held hearings on House Bill 2309 and House Bill 2205. HB 2309 would bar state civil service classifications from requiring a postgraduate degree unless required by law, with the sponsor and OFM saying it would reduce barriers to state employment and expand the applicant pool. Testimony in support emphasized workforce access, equity, and skill-based hiring. HB 2205 would expand tribal sports wagering to allow bets placed at any tribal gaming facility and permit wagering on Washington college teams, while continuing to prohibit bets on individual Washington student-athlete performance. Tribal leaders and casino operators supported the bill as a way to bring existing illegal betting into a regulated tribal system and improve integrity monitoring, while the University of Washington and Washington State University opposed it, warning of harassment, student-athlete safety concerns, and broader gambling harms. A taxpayer advocacy witness urged broader online sports betting options, arguing that limiting access drives bettors to offshore markets. The hearing on HB 2205 was left open and HB 2309 testimony concluded without further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• So tax conformity is the process states use to align income tax laws with the Internal Revenue Code.
• Minnesota, like most states, starts with the Internal Revenue Code for calculating individual and business
• Minnesota does not have state-level equivalents to many of these federal energy tax programs.
• </c> why they leave the state. why they leave the state.
• out of the state.

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is state property and there are state expenses.
• It is state property and there are state expenses.
• ><c> the</c> states that there are 28 states in the states that there are 28 states in the United<00:
• I also think it's state-by-state method.
• It makes the most sense to do this in Washington, D.C., and not try to do this piecemeal state by state

Committee: House Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So they make up as much of the energy requirement of the state as there is existing on the ground.
• So they make up as much of the energy requirement of the state as there is existing on the ground.
• We're the state of Texas. We're the most energy-rich state in the lower 48.
• So I’m just going to get back to my regular: we need some, we are an energy state.
• We have more energy within our state than any other in the lower 48.

Summary: The Senate Business and Commerce Committee held its third interim hearing on Texas electric grid reliability and 765 kV transmission lines/private property rights. Chair Schwertner opened by noting record ERCOT summer demand of 91,089 MW and emphasized the committee’s focus on managing rapid load growth, ensuring adequate generation, and protecting homeowners, businesses, landowners, and ratepayers. The committee also adopted strict two-minute limits for public testimony and planned to hear invited witnesses first, then public testimony. PUC Chairman Thomas Gleeson, ERCOT CEO Pablo Vegas, and OPUC Chief Counsel Benjamin Barclay testified on Senate Bill 6 implementation, large-load interconnection, transmission cost allocation, and market design. Gleeson said the PUC has adopted or is finalizing rules on net metering/co-location, large load interconnection standards, and a transmission cost recovery rule that would move from 4CP to 12CP, lengthen the interval to 30 minutes, and add a minimum demand charge to better allocate costs to large loads. Vegas explained ERCOT’s new batch process for large loads, saying it provides year-by-year capacity allocations, clearer financial obligations, and a transmission plan; he reported 205 GW eligible for Batch Zero, with 65 GW classified as baseload, 25 GW in an intermediate category, and 114 GW as allocated load. Barclay supported the changes as better protection for residential and small commercial customers, while warning that the minimum demand charge may need an exit-fee concept to address stranded costs if large loads leave. Members pressed witnesses on whether additional market changes are needed to attract dispatchable thermal generation and whether DRS/DRRS Plus could become a capacity-market substitute. Gleeson and Vegas said the current market still favors solar, batteries, and other low-variable-cost resources, and that more incentives may be needed for gas and other thermal generation; Gleeson said the commission’s reliability standard assessment will begin this year and conclude next year with a 2029 outlook. They described DRS as an ancillary service for intraday reliability and DRS Plus as a proposed real-time revenue mechanism for thermal resources during scarcity, not a forward capacity market. Senators also questioned whether 12CP could still be gamed, whether curtailment authority under SB 6 should be expanded from EEA 2 to earlier stages, and whether the batch process should be bifurcated so traditional industrial loads are handled differently from data centers. Witnesses said the batch process is intended to prevent speculative projects from driving transmission costs, that most large-load projects are data centers, and that future rules may need to better distinguish among types of large loads.

Transcript Highlights:

• State your point of inquiry.
• We want to make housing more affordable, streamline the state building code.
• building code.
• And I said, To pause additional regulations in the state building code, and I celebrated that, and this
• Who's going to write a piece when the money is coming from the state against the state?

Summary: The Assembly met in session, established a quorum, and opened with a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance recognizing 9/11. Members then moved through a long daily file and concurrence calendar, with many items passed without debate or temporarily retained. The chamber also took procedural actions, including re-referring AB 1152 to the Public Safety Committee, suspending rules for guest access and file-item handling, and later taking a roll-call vote to allow a late-filed journal letter request. Among the major Senate bills taken up on third reading, the Assembly approved SB 385 on peace officers’ rights, SB 753 on shopping cart recovery, SB 838 on housing and hotel projects, SB 643 on carbon dioxide removal grants, SB 645 on jury peremptory challenges in civil cases, SB 761 on CalFresh access for students, SB 774 on real estate licensing sunsets, SB 400 on renewable energy labor tax incentives, SB 24 on utility spending transparency, SB 37 on attorney advertising ethics, SB 258 on spousal rape involving disabled spouses, SB 364 on outdoor advertising near new freeways, SB 403 removing the sunset from medical aid in dying, SB 770 on HOA barriers to EV charging, and SB 22 on gift certificate cash redemption values. Most of these measures passed with little or no opposition; SB 403 and SB 770 drew more divided votes, while SB 24 was briefly delayed by a call before passing. The Assembly also concurred in numerous Senate amendments on Assembly bills covering a wide range of topics, including service of process (AB 747), local clean energy planning (AB 39), firearms (AB 1078), workers’ compensation (AB 1336), public health (AB 1487), survivor leave protections (AB 406), solid waste (AB 70), water reporting for data centers (AB 93), Diwali recognition (AB 268), wildfire workforce recovery (AB 338), educational equity (AB 419), civic education (AB 422), office-to-housing conversions (AB 507), cannabis tax relief (AB 564), privacy/browser opt-out rules (AB 566), housing element transparency (AB 610), tenant appliance requirements (AB 628), code enforcement penalties (AB 632), homelessness and LGBTQ-related policy (AB 678), energy (AB 740), DEIA review in state government (AB 766), inmate firefighter wages (AB 247), children’s health (AB 798), real estate (AB 851), COVID-era rehiring protections (AB 858), hazardous materials (AB 961), real property and housing covenants (AB 1050), aging (AB 1069), health care facilities (AB 1172), endangered species protections (AB 1319), CalWORKs modernization (AB 1324), cannabis access for seriously ill patients (AB 1332), foreign labor contractors (AB 1362), and downtown revitalization financing (AB 1445). Several of these passed overwhelmingly, while a few drew notable opposition, including AB 93, AB 403, AB 770, AB 851, AB 1050, and AB 1319. The transcript also included extended debate on SB 34, which was presented as a compromise measure on air pollution and port operations in the San Pedro Bay area. Supporters said it narrowed the scope to protect union jobs while preserving AQMD authority, while opponents and supporters alike noted the underlying distrust between labor and environmental stakeholders. The Assembly passed SB 34, SB 515 on disaggregated demographic data collection, and then began taking up AB 495 on immigration, with the sponsor describing family separation and immigration enforcement trauma before the transcript cuts off.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the mighty state of Maryland their home. the mighty state of Maryland their home. Amen. Amen.
• Finally, the state and local plans.
• </c><00:28:39.520><c> storm</c> the state when the state issues storm the state when the state issues
• Senate Bill 91, Chair, Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee, State Board of Elections Address
• Senate Bill 218, Chair, Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee, State Superintendent of Schools

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Tuesday, February 24, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation by Reverend Jod Gun, whose prayer was journalized by unanimous consent. The chamber then recognized several guests, including representatives from the National Alliance on Mental Illness, who were present for a resolution honoring Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week, as well as former Delegate and physician Dan Moheim, Towson University students, a veteran guest, and parents and young children visiting for Maryland Family Network’s Day in Annapolis. The Senate adopted a resolution recognizing the National Alliance on Mental Illness for its advocacy on tardive dyskinesia screening, early detection, and treatment, and designated May 5–9 as Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week. The resolution was read and adopted without objection. The chamber also unanimously welcomed the guest groups and thanked them for their service and advocacy. In second-reader action, the Senate advanced several bills with committee amendments adopted without objection. Senate Bill 113, the Longevity Ready Maryland Act, was amended to refine aging-related planning, website reporting, and Commission on Aging membership, then ordered to third reading. Senate Bill 123 updated the membership of the Oversight Committee on Quality of Care in nursing homes and assisted living facilities and was also sent to third reading. Senate Bill 336 extended the Task Force on the Responsible Use of Natural Psychedelic Substances for one year and added an HBCU representative. Senate Bill 394 expanded expedited partner therapy to bacterial vaginosis and added licensed certified midwives as authorized practitioners. Senate Bill 444 changed certificate-of-need requirements for certain intermediate care facilities, and Senate Bill 461 conformed the SNAP Heat and Eat Program to federal eligibility rules; both were advanced to third reading. The Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee then took up Senate Bill 108, which would authorize the Maryland Department of the Environment to impose administrative penalties for certain water, wetlands, dam, and riparian-rights violations and expand administrative enforcement tools. Several senators raised concerns about the scope of the bill, its effect on shoreline restoration, dams, stormwater and wetlands enforcement, and whether it could allow penalties without adequate process or encourage payment instead of correction. The floor leader responded that the amendment requires notice, an informal meeting, and consideration of good-faith efforts before penalties are imposed in certain cases, and said the bill does not change permit requirements. The debate continued as members sought clarification on how the bill would apply to private dams, HOAs, farmers, and shoreline projects.