Transcript Highlights:

• Through a nonprofit home share program model that already exists.
• the University of California, Berkeley School of Social Welfare.
• I'm co-leading a study on home-sharing programs in California with Dr.
• We're trying to do more first-time homebuyer programs and programs like that, programs that I also don't
• We're trying to do more first-time home buyers and programs like that, programs that I also don't qualify

Summary: The committee heard several bills, with the most detailed discussion focused on AB 316, AB 251, AB 474, AB 1201, AB 464, and AB 614. AB 316 would prevent AI developers or deployers from arguing in civil cases that an AI system’s alleged autonomy absolves them of responsibility. Supporters framed it as a narrow guardrail to protect families, especially children, from harms like dangerous chatbots and deepfakes; opponents, including TechNet and the Chamber of Progress, raised concerns about possible strict-liability implications. The bill was moved out of committee to Privacy and Consumer Protection. AB 251 would let judges lower the burden of proof in elder abuse cases when a skilled nursing facility or RCFE intentionally destroys evidence. Supporters said the measure is needed because elder abuse victims are often unable to testify and records are vulnerable to spoliation, while opponents argued existing sanctions are sufficient and warned of more litigation. The bill passed, with committee members emphasizing the vulnerability of elder abuse victims. AB 474 sought to expand nonprofit home-sharing programs, including tax incentives for low-income homeowners and changes to housing law and lodger rules. Supporters said it would help older adults and low-income Californians avoid homelessness, but several members and the California Apartment Association raised concerns about removing lodger-law protections for homeowners; the author committed to keep working on the issue. The bill passed to Human Services. AB 1201 would give courts discretion to provide family reunification services to parents with certain violent felony convictions, rather than applying an automatic bypass. Supporters from Starting Over Inc. described personal experiences with permanent family separation and argued the bill would give parents a fair chance when the conviction is unrelated to child safety. Some members supported the measure but questioned whether domestic violence histories should be treated differently; the author said the bill still allows courts to deny services when reunification would endanger a child. The bill passed to Human Services. AB 464 addressed sexual abuse and retaliation in state prisons by extending reporting time after release, adding 90-day monitoring after reports, barring rehiring of confirmed abusers, and strengthening reporting and anti-retaliation rules. Survivors testified about abuse, retaliation, and failures in CDCR’s response; the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 614 would standardize the Government Claims Act filing deadline at one year for all claims. The author and supporters argued the current six-month deadline for injury and wrongful death claims is too short for victims to learn the process, find counsel, and gather evidence, while businesses often get a full year. A civil rights attorney and a family member of a deceased jail detainee testified in support, describing how the current deadline can block meritorious claims. The bill was presented for committee consideration as the hearing continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 2667, home buyer assistance program requirements — Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency.
• HB 2142, ADE school safety center programs — Education.
• SB 1798, an act establishing the school safety and threat identification pilot program, appropriating
• While participation in the program is optional, it incentivizes schools to implement thoughtful FAFSA
• Schools would be recognized for their participation in the program.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• engineer level to the construction level.
• When do we think they're going to start construction on that? When do they start?
• Overall, veterinarians stand ready to assist in any way they can help.
• But the other thing is if we had the programs that y'all are having...
• That's concerning when it comes to the speed of construction.

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Program. Program.
• Construction. Construction.
• So setting that aside, which was related to the recalibration committee, not the school foundation program
• </c><01:09:55.920><c> foundation</c><01:09:56.400><c> program,</c><01:09:57.679><c> uh</c> not the school
• foundation program, uh not the school foundation program, uh it's<01:09:58.400><c> the</c><01:09:58.719

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• at the School of Mines.
• This program at the School of Mines. I ask for a yes vote. >> Is there any further discussion?
• Meals on Wheels, kids getting school programs, any of those other human services or social services programs
• </c><02:58:57.920><c> programs,</c><02:58:58.800><c> any</c><02:58:59.040><c> of</c> kids getting school
• programs, any of kids getting school programs, any of those<02:58:59.439><c> other</c><02:58:59.760>

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, myself, assistant commissioner.
• Assistant Commissioner Meer, Mr.
• Assistant Commissioner Meer, Mr.
• </c><00:27:01.720><c> assistant</c><00:27:02.080><c> commissioner</c> you uh assistant assistant commissioner
• which</c> Reserve program the CRP program which Reserve program the CRP program which has<01:04:46.400

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The bulk of our funding is federally funded in our construction programs and things like that, and that
• A lot of that is our construction program, and just as a refresher, a lot of the decisions about those
• A lot of that is our construction program, and just as a refresher, a lot of the decisions about those
• A lot of that is our construction program, and just as a refresher, a lot of the decisions about those
• </c> a lot of that is our construction a lot of that is our construction program<00:09:56.839><c> and

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met with New Hampshire DOT Commissioner Bill Cass and Finance Director Danielle Shandra to review the agency’s FY 2026 budget. Cass gave a high-level overview of DOT’s mission, organization, funding structure, and staffing trends, noting the agency has about 650 employees across five divisions. He said the Governor’s recommended FY 2026 budget totals $95.99 million, essentially flat from FY 2025, with funding primarily from Turnpike funds, Highway funds, federal sources, and a small General Fund share for non-highway units. Members asked about how Turnpike and Highway funds are treated in state accounting, and DOT explained that while they are enterprise funds restricted to their purposes, they are considered unrestricted from the statewide perspective and are appropriated through the budget process. A major topic was staffing and budget targets. DOT said its full-time staffing level has remained relatively flat since 2014 even as vehicle miles traveled increased and vacancies rose. To meet budget targets, the department unfunded seven permanent positions and nine temporary full-time positions, and later noted additional reductions in Finance, including the elimination of two full-time positions, reduced print shop equipment purchases, and deeper cuts to overtime, temporary help, equipment, and supplies in FY 2027. DOT also explained that it shifted funding for one unmanned aerial system position from General Funds to Highway Funds, saying the change was workable because the position supports highway-related work and federal-aid-eligible activities. Members asked for clarification on the state transit operating match, and DOT explained that the Legislature had previously provided about $1.8 million annually in General Funds to help local transit agencies meet federal match requirements, but that funding was not included in this budget. DOT said that could reduce the ability to draw down some federal transit funds, though the impact may not be immediate because those funds can be used over several years. The department also described its unmanned aerial system program, saying it has been used for about five years for mapping, survey work, construction oversight, and storm damage assessment, and that it now has about five drones and two full-time positions supporting the program. DOT said it is expanding cross-training so more employees can operate drones without adding positions. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So when you factor in things like people who actually go through the program and receive assistance or
• programs and county assistance programs.
• programs and county assistance programs.
• </c><00:10:57.760><c> fhpa</c> assistance program also known as fhpa assistance program also known as
• We help them achieve stability through a variety of programs, including housing assistance.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We talked about the mentorship and technical assistance.
• Touching on that, we have developed the READIest program.
• So that severely impacts our ability to expand and provide other training programs or educational programs
• And these training programs aren't cheap by any means.
• It's a three-semester program, and we said, well, can we cut that down and make it a two-semester program

Summary: The House Committee on International Trade held its first meeting of the session with member introductions and opening remarks emphasizing Arizona’s interest in foreign relations, border commerce, and collaboration with trading partners, especially Mexico. Chair Tony Rivera noted the state’s trade offices in Mexico and framed the committee’s work as a way to strengthen Arizona’s international relationships. Staff were introduced, and members were reminded of amendment deadlines, though no bills were heard. The committee then heard a presentation from the Nogales-Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce and the Santa Cruz County Provisional Community College District. Chamber representatives described Nogales as a major gateway for trade, tourism, agriculture, and logistics, and said the region is investing in entrepreneurship support, bilingual business resources, digital and e-commerce training, and workforce development tied to mining and logistics. They also highlighted tourism promotion efforts and said infrastructure, housing, and pedestrian access at the ports of entry are major needs. Committee members asked about regulatory and infrastructure improvements, housing and health-care challenges, and tourism data. Greg Lucero of the provisional community college described the district’s unusual status, its contract with Pima College to provide instruction, and the impact of South32’s mining project on enrollment and workforce training demand. He said the district is focusing on AI, advanced manufacturing, trades, and ESL support, while working toward accreditation. Members asked about industry partnerships, certificate timelines, and programs tied to Arizona-Mexico trade. The committee also heard from Cattlemex, T4 Ranch, Arizona Cattle Feeder Association, and J.M. Fletcher Cattle Co. on the closure of the U.S.-Mexico border to live cattle imports because of New World screwworm concerns. Testimony argued that Sonora cattle are safe, that Arizona ports are strategically important, and that reopening the ports would support feedlots, packing plants, jobs, and lower beef prices. Witnesses urged a state-by-state USDA reopening, especially for Sonora, and said Arizona should not be penalized for outbreaks elsewhere in Mexico. Members asked about industry support, the effect of grazing restrictions, the future of Arizona’s livestock sector, and whether a Sonora-specific carve-out could be safely implemented. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> certain schools. certain schools.
• While robotics is still classified as an after-school program, especially on the high school levels where
• c> the</c><00:44:24.240><c> high</c> school program, especially on the high school program, especially
• Since the FIRST Robotics program was established at Waianae High School in 1999, the state has embraced
• For schools, it supports stability and continuity in financial aid programs.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 2185, which would add protections for sports officials. The Department of Education, the State Public Charter School Commission, the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools, HSTA, HGA, school administrators, the Hawaii High School Athletic Association, the Hawaii State Basketball Officials Association, and several individuals testified in support. The Department of the Attorney General offered comments and recommended amendments, especially on the bill’s civil-action provisions and criminal language, saying the measure should be made more consistent and narrowed to clarify who is covered. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the increased criminal penalties but said its concerns were limited to that portion of the bill. The chair repeatedly noted the committee’s education-policy focus and limited discussion of legal issues. The committee then took up HB 2621 on student misconduct. The Department of Education testified and answered questions about its student discipline data, explaining that much of the information is kept in the department’s internal Infinite Campus system and is not public, but that some additional information could be added to the annual report while still protecting student privacy. Members discussed whether the department tracks incidents consistently across schools and whether more public reporting would help identify where violence or discipline issues are occurring. The department said it was not seeing an increase in suspensions in the data it had, though it acknowledged internal data showed more detail than the annual report. HB 2179, concerning DOE and e-pipes, drew comments from the Department of Education, support from the Department of Health, the Hawaii Bicycling League, and other individuals. The committee then heard HB 2534, which would recognize robotics in schools as an interscholastic sport. The Department of Education offered comments, the State Public Charter School Commission supported the bill, and multiple students and robotics participants testified in strong support, arguing that robotics provides STEM opportunities, competition, and career pathways, and that formal recognition and funding would help sustain teams and compensate mentors. No votes or final actions were taken on the bills in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Up to 30% of the construction and residential construction sector is made up of foreign-born neighbors
• And it talks so broadly about identifying strategies and assisting businesses and assisting migrants
• And it talks so broadly about identifying strategies and assisting businesses and assisting migrants
• So, I mean, I'm all for locking up school shooters, pedophiles, arsonists. school shooters, pedophiles
• And we're getting all these programs in place.

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 25, which would prohibit a juvenile who committed a firearm-related delinquent act that would be a felony if committed by an adult from legally owning or possessing a firearm for 10 years after disposition. The sponsor and supporters said the bill is intended to address serious youth gun violence without lengthening juvenile sentences or unsealing records, and they emphasized that the substitute language was meant to clarify, not change, the bill’s intent. Support came from law enforcement, the district attorney’s office, CYFD, and business interests, while opponents including the Public Defender, ACLU, and criminal defense advocates argued it conflicts with juvenile-code principles, creates civil disabilities based on juvenile conduct, and could raise Second Amendment and sealing-record concerns. Members raised extensive questions about how the NICS background-check process would work, what offenses would qualify, whether the measure would apply retroactively, and how sealed juvenile records and pardons would be handled. After discussion, the committee adopted the committee substitute, but no final vote on the bill was taken in the portion provided; members discussed possibly working on the language further in Judiciary or tabling it. The committee then took up House Bill 15, the Medical Injury and Collaborative Resolution Act, described by the sponsor as New Mexico’s version of a candor law. The bill would create a protected adverse outcome conference process allowing patients and providers to discuss medical injuries or undesirable outcomes outside of court, with the goal of improving communication, giving patients answers, and reducing litigation. A family medicine doctor and a trial lawyer testified in support, saying patients often want explanations more than money and that open conversations can sometimes resolve disputes early. Public commenters also supported the concept, though one noted concerns about how pro se litigants would fit into the process. Committee questions focused on how the bill would define injury, how confidentiality would be enforced, whether statements could be used in court, who would pay for the process, and how it would interact with existing malpractice procedures. The sponsors said the conference would be voluntary, not require an apology, and would be protected by evidentiary rules; if protected statements were introduced at trial, they said remedies such as mistrial could apply. The discussion continued into procedural details, but no final action on HB 15 appears in the provided portion.

Transcript Highlights:

• , oil and gas research program, and renewable energy programs.
• That's typically what the lignite research program, oil and gas research program, renewable energy program
• Typically, what the lignite research program, oil and gas research program, and renewable energy program
• The target audience of these activities ranges from middle school to high school to university students
• So this program has been very successful.

Summary: The committee met in Grand Forks, approved the February 26 minutes by voice vote, and recessed for a tour of Minnkota Power Cooperative before hearing presentations on large energy consumers and related infrastructure issues. The first presentation, from the North Dakota Transmission Authority, focused on the need for better local decision-making tools for counties, townships, and planning and zoning boards facing major projects such as transmission lines, pipelines, data centers, wind, solar, and large-scale agriculture. The speaker urged more objective, data-driven analysis, noted that local officials often have limited time and resources, and said the state should support training and tools through groups like the League of Cities and the Association of Counties. Members asked about proactive outreach, data center ordinances, and how to avoid subsidizing large loads or causing reliability problems. The Division of Air Quality then discussed environmental oversight of data centers, emphasizing that North Dakota’s air remains among the cleanest in the country and that the agency’s role is limited to air, water discharge, stormwater, and waste—not zoning or water use. The presentation explained that data centers generally have low direct emissions but may rely on diesel backup generators when the grid is unavailable, which creates air-quality concerns; the department said it is requiring air monitors at some projects to collect real-world data and guide future decisions. Members asked about generator emissions, misinformation, monitoring costs, and staffing succession, and the agency said permit applicants pay for the monitors while the state handles some QA work. The Department of Water Resources followed with an overview of North Dakota water law and data center water use. The director explained the state’s prior-appropriation system, the public-interest review for permits, and the large overall water supply available from groundwater and the Missouri River. He said most proposed data centers use closed-loop cooling systems and generally request relatively small amounts of water compared with other uses such as power plants, irrigation, and oilfield operations, and that even a worst-case data center scenario would use only a tiny fraction of Missouri River flow. Questions focused on downstream impacts and comparisons to fracking water use, and the director said the state’s use is too small to materially affect downstream users. Later, McLean County State’s Attorney Ladd-Erickson testified online about data center zoning and permitting. He asked the committee to have Legislative Council gather information on how other states handle data center permitting and to keep the topic on the interim agenda. He argued that local zoning should remain local, but said counties lack the technical and legal resources to manage complex reclamation or bonding requirements and that state-level enabling legislation may be more appropriate. He also recommended eliminating tax incentives for data centers. The committee chair said staff would prepare a document on other states’ zoning and permitting approaches. After a lunch recess, the committee reconvened at the EERC, where CEO Charles Gorecki gave an overview of the center’s 75 years of work and its role in oil and gas, carbon management, and other energy technologies, highlighting enhanced oil recovery and carbon dioxide utilization as major opportunities for future production and tax revenue.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:06:02.080><c> and</c> into real lives, into schools and into real lives, into schools and hospitals
• </c> are uh tax assisted housing projects. are uh tax assisted housing projects. the<00:29:15.919><c>
• . schools. schools.
• </c> school educational fi finance. school educational fi finance.
• </c> public schools. public schools.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:09:11.799><c> Program</c><01:09:12.240><c> Reimbursement</c> Medical Assistance Program Reimbursement
• Medical Assistance Program Reimbursement of<01:09:12.799><c> Hospice</c><01:09:13.240><c> Rooms</c><
• House Bill 107, Delegate Allen, Motor Vehicles— Intelligent Speed Assistance Pilot Program.
• </c><01:47:04.840><c> Program</c> Maryland Medical Assistance Program Maryland Medical Assistance Program
• House Bill 1430, Delegate Shang, Maryland Public Charter School Program, School Facilities Funding.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Friday, April 10, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And whenever, Employment law, sometimes in the law school, sometimes to our undergrads.
• This program has been...
• The wage claim adjudication program recovered the most of all of these programs: $41 million.
• The wage claim adjudication program recovered the most of all of these programs, 41 million.
• In one case, an outstanding... ...and 13 in construction.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• addition to tax increases, these residents are also paying more for utilities and paying for the programs
• And I'll read that one more time: Part of the RGGI program is to fund communities affected by the closure
• MLP crews often leave their own families and communities to assist others in need.
• And so this would be analogous to AT&T having to pay to construct towers for Verizon so that Verizon
• Double poles have also been known to cause construction delays, and with construction delays there are

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a range of energy, utility, broadband, and municipal infrastructure bills. Representative Powell supported H 3466, which would create a task force to study public ownership of utilities and alternatives to investor-owned electric and gas systems. Representative Therber supported H 3574, which would use RGGI funds to reimburse cities and towns affected by power plant decommissioning, citing lost jobs, tax revenue, and service cuts in communities such as Somerset, Plymouth, Salem, and Everett. Several witnesses from municipal light plants and related organizations testified in support of mutual aid bills, including H 3486/S 2252 and H 3330/S 2277, saying the measures would clarify protections and liability coverage for MLP workers assisting in emergencies and non-emergency work. Jim Leiden of EMWIC opposed H 3514/S 2295, saying the proposed board and governance changes would reduce local control, add burdens, and weaken confidentiality protections. A committee member asked whether the mutual aid bills had been reviewed for municipal impacts, and the witnesses said they had done due diligence. The committee also heard extensive testimony on H 3551/S 2306, the smart meter opt-out bills. Supporters argued that smart meters emit harmful wireless radiation, that some residents have developed health problems or electromagnetic sensitivity, and that opt-outs should be available without fees or penalties; several witnesses urged notification, consent, and non-transmitting analog meter options. The committee also heard testimony from municipal officials and the Massachusetts Municipal Association in support of H 3462/S 2250, which would strengthen municipal authority to enforce timely removal of double utility poles, citing safety, accessibility, and construction-delay concerns. Derek Leffert of Gateway Fiber opposed H 3450, saying it would improperly shift broadband deployment costs to competitors. At the end of testimony, the chair closed the hearing by motion and vote, with members voting aye and no opposition recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Britt Freud, friend, excuse me, a full professor of practice, assistant dean, McCombs School of Business
• I'm Britt Friend, and I'm a professor and assistant dean at the McCombs School of Business.
• and construction, is going to take, let's say, three years to construct.
• And then…” “Construction is going to take, let's say, three years to construct, and then the utility's
• So there were four programs.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you're the school admin, the counselor at the school, or a teacher, or the admin assistant at the
• What is a culturally responsive program when we're looking at schools and ensuring that we have these
• At the same time, more young people than ever are participating in school sports programs intended to
• I used to work at Roosevelt High School in Boyle Heights running an after-school program, and unfortunately
• While most construction contracts are for major modernization of schools, job order contracts relate

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, when parents choose to enroll their child in a private school through school choice, they
• This is not a public school versus private school bill. This is a bill about our kids.
• So when the program changed significantly, did many banks drop out of the program? Senator Gruters.
• From my understanding, a lot of the money from these infractions, from the school zone cameras, the school
• bus cameras, goes to the school districts.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions recognizing guests, students, advocates, and a resolution honoring the late USF men’s basketball coach Amir Abdur-Rahim. Senators also observed moments of silence for victims of recent campus violence and for former FSU President John Thrasher. The chamber then moved to special order bills, with several members explaining measures and, in some cases, substituting House companions before final passage. Among the bills passed were measures updating child care and early learning provider regulation; strengthening penalties and cost recovery for false reporting and swatting; extending protections against extraordinary medical debt collection; expanding hazardous walking condition criteria for schoolchildren; creating young adult housing support for foster and homeless students; and requiring private schools participating in the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program to disclose which accommodations they will provide. The Senate also passed a bill adjusting interest rules for trust accounts funding legal aid, after extended debate over the impact on legal aid funding and banking practices, and a transportation package that was heavily amended to address issues such as school bus camera hearings, beach vehicle use for equipment removal, flooded-street wake restrictions, expectant mother parking permits, micromobility regulation, and traffic signal modernization. The chamber also approved public-records exemptions for Agency for Health Care Administration investigators, Judicial Qualifications Commission employees, and appellate court clerks; a municipal water and sewer rate bill affecting Miami-Dade residents near a plant; motor vehicle offenses involving impersonating law enforcement and obscured license plates; trespass penalties at law-enforcement-controlled locations and large ticketed venues; refund requirements for patient overpayments; stem cell therapy authorization with source and consent limits; and insulin administration authority for direct support professionals and relatives in group homes. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including cardiac emergencies, chemicals and consumer products, and motor vehicle manufacturer/franchise dealer legislation. Most measures passed with strong bipartisan support, though the trust fund interest bill drew notable opposition and passed 28-10, and the Family Empowerment Scholarship bill passed 37-1.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> The new attorneys and legal assistants The new attorneys and legal assistants that<00:28:24.960>
• This program builds bridges, act.
• This program is master contract program.
• Assistant Commissioner Hayes.
• Assistant Commissioner Hayes.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all