Transcript Highlights:

• So thank you for paying attention. And yes, no, this is a top priority.
• So it can be a pay-to-play industry, a for-profit industry.
• their fines and fees, unable to pay what they owe the DMV, unable to pay the $1,700 fines and fees they
• what they owe the DMV, unable to pay the $1,700 fines and fees they owe the court, unable to pay the
• That means if you're 100% of poverty for the IID, you pay $3 a month.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So they can't pull it in to pay their IT bills.
• grant programs each pay period.
• We pay the bills out of the general fund.
• So no, they don't pay taxes. They're getting rebates.
• And if we continue to pay those workers the way that we're going to, the way that we're paying them,

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> The leave of absence with pay.
• my rent, paying for an ER visit like today.
• </c> annual stepping PES which means paying annual stepping PES which means paying my<01:06:01.440><c
• Vice Chair, for the vote. instead of uh the doe paying for the instead of uh the doe paying for the cost
• It automatically pays educators more per their years of service and per their education.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Education met on January 30 and heard testimony on several bills, beginning with an announcement asking testifiers and members to keep remarks brief because of weather. The vice chair also explained that HB 440, relating to immigration issues in schools and state hospitals, was removed from the agenda because the proposal would not create meaningful legal protections and immigration policy is governed by federal law. The committee then moved through a series of education-related measures, with testimony largely from the Department of Education, the School Facilities Authority, the Attorney General’s office, unions, advocacy groups, and individual testifiers. On HB 330, concerning school impact fees, the School Facilities Authority supported the bill as aligning policy with implementation, while the Tax Foundation of Hawaii said the fee accounts have accumulated large balances, including more than $20 million in impact fee funds and nearly $9 million from predecessor fair-share contributions, and urged that collected money be used rather than left idle. DOE said it would follow up on the balance and why it was not being used. On HB 1188, dealing with workforce housing, DOE and the Charter School Commission offered comments or support, the Attorney General suggested clarifying the phrase “within commuting distance” by using a mileage standard and adding repayment language, and HSTA, HGEA, and others supported the bill, with HSTA saying teachers need housing to be able to live and work in Hawaii. On HB 624 and HB 625, both related to school psychologists, DOE said it would participate in a work group on the pathway bill and supported the incentive program bill; school psychologists and related groups supported the measures, while one testifier said DOE should not lead the work group alone because school psychologists may work in many education settings beyond DOE schools. The committee also heard HB 1314 on youth mental health in schools. DOE described its student support process, universal screening tools, and behavioral health services, saying schools already identify and respond to concerns and that staff are trained to report issues, while the Attorney General warned the bill could expose schools to liability and recommended a broad liability waiver. Testimony was mixed, with several supporters and one opponent. On HB 616, concerning school safety and harassment protections for educational workers, the Attorney General sought clarifying amendments on harassment definitions, temporary restraining order costs, and paid leave, while HSTA, HGEA, and individual teachers strongly supported the bill, describing harassment incidents and arguing for a standardized statewide response. DOE said it already has reporting pathways, visitor codes of conduct, trespass notices, and an ethics hotline, but acknowledged implementation varies by school and that staff can escalate concerns if needed. The committee also began hearing HB 88 on a three-year pilot program for athletic travel, but the transcript cuts off before that bill’s testimony is completed or any votes are taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Phyllis Keenan: I spent 10 years paying off my public higher ed undergraduate degree.
• And that is with me being lucky enough to have a coveted graduate assistantship that pays.
• You have to go to school, even though I have no clue how I'm going to pay for it.
• Many can't afford to pay for college.
• We're paying the tuition and fees of students at universities and colleges from...

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Higher Education heard testimony on a broad set of bills focused on making public higher education more affordable and accessible, protecting student information, and changing social work licensure rules. Chair Rogers and Senator Comerford opened by emphasizing the committee’s focus on financial aid, tuition and fee waivers, scholarships, admissions, and institutional changes, and they reminded witnesses about the three-minute testimony limit. No votes were taken during the hearing. A large portion of the hearing centered on the “Super Act” (H. 1423/S. 218), which would eliminate the master’s-level social work licensing exam and create grant support for social work internships. Supporters—including students, practitioners, educators, and advocates—argued that unpaid internships and the exam create financial barriers, worsen workforce shortages, and disproportionately affect Black, brown, older, ESL, and other marginalized candidates. Opponents from the Association of Social Work Boards argued the exam is a necessary public-protection standard, helps maintain uniform licensure, and is important to the social work licensure compact; they said workforce shortages should be addressed through pay, working conditions, and caseloads instead. Committee members asked detailed questions about compact participation, exam accommodations, and how other states such as Rhode Island and Connecticut have handled similar changes. The committee also heard extensive testimony in favor of debt-free public higher education bills (H. 1436/S. 929). Witnesses, including students, faculty, advocates, and Senator Eldridge, said Massachusetts should expand on free community college by covering tuition and mandatory fees at public colleges and universities, with additional aid for living costs for lower-income students. Supporters said student debt delays homeownership, family formation, and career entry, and that the state should use Fair Share revenue to invest in public higher education. Some committee members voiced support but also raised concerns about prioritizing K-12 funding and the cost of expanding free college further. Several witnesses also supported bills to extend tuition and fee waivers to young adults raised by grandparents or other kinship guardians outside the DCF system, arguing that these students face the same trauma and financial barriers as foster youth but do not receive the same benefits. Representative Donato, Joseph O’Leary, Shauna Manning, Sandra Vecchio, Karen Gardner, Judy Walter, Elaine Arsenault, and others described the financial strain on grandparents raising grandchildren and urged parity with DCF-related waivers. In addition, Senator Jake Oliveira testified for a bill to protect public higher education student directory information from data mining and unauthorized sharing, and Deirdre Cummings testified for an open educational resources bill to reduce textbook costs. The hearing concluded with continued testimony on kinship care and college access, with committee members thanking witnesses and indicating follow-up on some bill language issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is it something they pay to the utilities? Is it something they pay to the business profits tax?
• So they forgo paying money to the utilities for this period of time. Correct.
• So are we not paying anything for when we're getting it from the grid?
• So are we not paying anything for when we're getting it from the grid?
• </c><00:21:06.280><c> an</c> their consumption and they're paying an their consumption and they're paying

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 408 FN, which expands prosthetic device insurance coverage from children to individuals over 19, with limits on activity-specific devices and one device every five years. Members noted an indeterminate fiscal impact beginning in fiscal year 2028, but speakers said the bill addressed a gap in current coverage and had already been supported unanimously in policy. The committee voted 9-0 to recommend ought to pass. Next, Senate Bill 534 FN, dealing with compliance with foreign influence and funding restrictions for political expenditures and contributions, was discussed and then approved. Supporters said it clarifies that the restrictions apply to local elections and constitutional amendment questions as well as state and federal elections, and that enforcement costs would be minimal absent violations. The committee voted 9-0 to recommend ought to pass. The committee then considered Senate Bill 538, extending net metering eligibility terms for municipal energy projects. Members discussed a proposed amendment to align the bill with related conference committee language in HB 221 and to address projects already in the pipeline, but the amendment failed on a 4-5 vote. The underlying bill was then recommended ought to pass on a 9-0 vote. The committee also heard extensive testimony on Senate Bill 541 FNA, which reallocates existing capital funds for regional drinking water infrastructure in southern New Hampshire, including PFAS-related work and the southern regional waterline project; after discussion of funding sources and project impacts, it was approved 9-0. Finally, the committee began work on Senate Bill 557 FN, which would prohibit liquor commission licensees from selling or allowing certain kratom products. Representative Sweeney offered an amendment intended to narrow the bill to target semi-synthetic and synthetic kratom products while preserving lawful natural products, and members discussed enforcement scope and fiscal impact. The transcript ends during that discussion, before a final vote on the amendment or bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• The way this plan works is they pay a small fee.
• The way this plan works is they pay a small fee.
• So cities are required to pay for the buy-in. They're required to pay for their cost each year.
• They're the ones paying all these bills.
• And who's paying for this? It's not us.

Summary: The House convened, approved the journal, and received messages from the Governor and Senate on bills signed, enrolled, and transmitted. Several committee reports were read, including bills and resolutions advanced to second or third reading, and House Resolution 28 and multiple appropriations and policy bills were introduced and referred. The House also recessed and later resumed business, continuing with messages and committee reports before moving into floor action on selected bills. A major floor debate centered on House Bill 725, which would have allowed cities to join the Idaho State Health Insurance Pool. Supporters argued it would give cities access to a larger, more stable risk pool, lower premiums, and reduce property tax pressure, while opponents warned it could create adverse selection, raise costs for state employees, and expand state administrative burdens. After extended debate, the House rejected HB 725 by a vote of 30-40 and held it at the Chief Clerk’s office. The House then passed House Bill 660, a measure requiring local law enforcement to collect and report twice-yearly counts of arrested individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States. Supporters said it was a limited reporting requirement aimed at understanding costs to taxpayers, while opponents raised concerns about unclear procedures, added burdens on law enforcement, and questionable fiscal assumptions. The bill passed 40-30 and was transmitted to the Senate. The House also took up several budget enhancement bills under suspended rules. House Bills 905, 906, 907, 908, and 909 all passed, covering enhancements for the State Board of Education, community colleges, career technical education, the Military Division, and the Secretary of State. Debate on these bills focused on whether the additions were true restorations or budget growth, the use of one-time funds and federal grants, and concerns about higher education priorities and fiscal restraint.

Transcript Highlights:

• I can bring you my pay compensate us.
• You don't pay teachers enough in this state for us only to have one job.
• </c> that problem is I can't afford to pay that problem is I can't afford to pay for<00:24:10.320><c>
• Um you don't pay teachers enough time.
• </c> pay it. pay it.

Bills: SB2567, SB2448, SB3046, SB2231, SB2526

Keywords: harassment, restraining order, temporary restraining order, injunction, protective order, public employer, public servant, public employee, government employee, state employee, legislator, judge, judicial branch, executive branch, local government, political subdivision, workplace violence, threats, stalking, employee safety

Transcript Highlights:

• The state pays a known daily rate for readiness and only pays flight time when aircraft fly.
• You're guaranteed to pay the daily availability rate.
• What you're not guaranteed to pay is the flight time.
• Earn enough profit to pay for that aircraft.
• Just be clear here, from a Taxpayer standpoint who's going to pay this bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would call him, but he works in our research office, Craig Hiai, who has taken a huge cut in pay to
• I would call him, but he works in our research office, Craig Hiai, who has taken a huge cut in pay to
• We ensure that minimum wage earners would not be paying middle-income taxes.
• </c><00:44:38.400><c> middle</c> earners would not be paying middle earners would not be paying middle
• </c> residential area you all have to pay residential area you all have to pay taxes<01:16:44.360><c>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's all they're going to do because they don't want to pay the fees or whatever it might be.
• for an ounce or two ounces to try it rather than pay for ordering a full beer.
• for an ounce or two ounces to try it rather than pay for ordering a full beer.
• avoiding paying the tax, and yet their products were showing up in our vape shops.
• Are absconding from paying the tax and were avoiding paying the tax, and yet their products were showing

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Better pay, make sure that folks can earn a living wage and take care of their families.
• Folks have to pay bills.
• We got one half paycheck two weeks into it, and then afterwards we received nothing. folks have to pay
• You can't pay bills. You can't afford child care, food. You can't pay bills.
• And so I think that's really what we need to pay attention to and think about ways that we can ensure

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um this bill lets people have to pay.
• So your you won't be paying taxes.
• To make money to pay for daily business and living expenses.
• To make money to pay for daily business and living expenses.
• To make money to pay for daily business and living expenses.

Bills: HB61, HB176, SB12

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Just this year, Governor Newsom signed SB 642 by Senator Limon, which strengthens the California Equal Pay
• We pay more in federal taxes than we get back from the federal government.
• Even the most humble undocumented Californians still pay taxes.
• I finished paying my student loans maybe five years ago, and in two years I will have to pay full tuition
• I finished paying my student loans maybe five years ago, and in two years I will have to pay full tuition

Summary: The Select Committee on Latina Inequities met at Los Angeles Mission College in Sylmar, hosted by Assemblymember Celeste Rodriguez and joined by Assemblymember Mia Bonta. Rodriguez opened by framing the committee’s work around the economic status of Latinas and the effects of federal policies on the economy and social safety net, while the college president welcomed the committee and described campus services for undocumented and housing-insecure students. Rodriguez also emphasized the local impact of immigration enforcement in the San Fernando Valley and said the hearing would focus on Latinas’ economic conditions, immigration enforcement impacts on the workforce and safety, and H.R. 1’s effects on the safety net. The first panel featured HOPE’s Maria Morales and Dr. Elsa Macias, who presented findings from HOPE’s National Economic Status of Latinas report. They said Latinas are a major and growing part of California’s population and workforce, but face persistent inequities, including a large wage gap, higher unemployment, high uninsured rates, student debt, and affordability pressures around child care, housing, and education. They also discussed entrepreneurship, noting both the growth of Latina-owned businesses and barriers such as limited access to capital, technical assistance, and retirement and health coverage. In response to committee questions, they said higher education can still offer a strong return on investment, but only if students can complete degrees without being overwhelmed by debt and care costs; they also pointed to policy solutions such as SB 642, mentorship, financial literacy, CalSavers access, and support for community development financial institutions. The second panel focused on immigration enforcement and Latina safety in the workforce. Luis Nolasco of the ACLU described arrests tied to apparent ethnicity and Spanish-speaking, the chilling effect on families, and the loss of wages, school attendance, and mobility. Dr. Amada Armenta said immigration enforcement harms California’s economy, public health, and mixed-status families, and noted that undocumented workers are concentrated in agriculture, construction, and child care. SEIU’s Jen Baca Beltran said raids and school-based enforcement traumatize children and families and highlighted the need for Know Your Rights trainings. Megan Ortiz of IDEPSCA described repeated Border Patrol raids on day labor centers, injuries to staff, and the need to protect worker centers, domestic workers, and street vendors. Inclusive Action’s Shannon Camacho said raids have forced many informal workers to stop working, prompted emergency cash assistance and rent relief efforts, and strengthened advocacy for vendor protections and CDFI support. CHIRLA’s Jeanette Zanipatine said the rapid response network has expanded, documented widespread arrests and detention conditions, and is providing direct support and legal referrals; committee members asked about detention, maternal health, and what the state can do, and panelists urged stronger oversight, more legal representation, and protections for pregnant and detained people.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm glad this is the first bill because everyone is paying attention.
• Nobody's paying attention. So we had written this down.
• We all pay less. So I rise as I think about the teachers, the veterans.
• So if this is truly a grassroots citizen-led initiative, then you don't have to pay.
• You don't have to pay if it's truly a grassroots initiative.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of introductions recognizing interns, pages, a retiring sergeant-at-arms employee, and advocates visiting for a Prader-Willi Syndrome awareness resolution. Leaders also noted ongoing budget talks with the House and said senators should not plan to be in next week while negotiations continue. The main floor debate centered on Committee Substitute for House Bill 12.5, a citizen-initiative elections bill. Sponsors said it was intended to address petition fraud and protect the integrity of the constitutional amendment process, citing investigations, arrests, and fraudulent petition activity tied to recent initiatives. Opponents argued the bill would make it much harder and more expensive for citizens to place amendments on the ballot, chill volunteer participation, and effectively favor wealthy or corporate interests. After extensive debate, the bill passed 28-10. The Senate then moved through a series of education bills, including measures on Bright Futures, Gold Seal, Florida ABLE, dual enrollment, educator preparation, and broader education policy, all of which passed unanimously. After a recess, the chamber took up House messages and concurred in amendments to bills on stem cell therapy, student athlete ECGs, cardiac emergency response plans, and school safety. Those measures also passed with broad support, with the school safety bill drawing some questions about the Guardian program and child care facilities.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, the long-term acute care hospitals are having, uh, they pay into the Medicaid program, but they don't
• get Medicaid pay reimbursement.
• days to 21 days in which people can be in an immediate care facility not being there in Medicaid paying
• Uh, we're going to try to give you the committee Medicaid 101, if you would, on how we pay for Medicaid
• </c> 101 if you would uh on how uh how we pay 101 if you would uh on how uh how we pay for<00:09:13.040

Keywords: Medicaid - Room 210; 2 February, 2026: 2:30 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now this is the first step... ...that it asks them to pay for their government.
• This is obviously insurance that we were paying into for our family, and still paying a co-pay on top
• Right now, I pay $5,400 a year for electricity. I'll work backwards.
• Right now, I pay $5,400 a year for electricity. I pay $9,600 a year for water.
• So just for the basics, without even buying any groceries, I'm paying $46,000 a year.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, attendance, and a series of guest introductions and recognitions, including Doctor of the Day Dr. Eric Osowski, State Farm visitors, Donate Life Day participants, and representatives from Ganado and Chinle Unified School Districts. The chamber also read proclamations honoring Ganado Unified for the ASBA Golden Bell Promise Program Award and Chinle Unified for multiple academic and cultural achievements, including national recognition for Chinle Elementary School and district leadership. The body then moved through committee and floor business, including consent for the Senate to adjourn, first and second readings of several bills, and a motion to reconsider HB 2429. In Committee of the Whole, HB 2093 was amended to restore mental health instruction while removing social emotional learning, HB 2229 advanced after debate over reproductive health and abortion-related provisions, HB 2429 and HB 2950 were amended and recommended do pass, and HB 4136 also advanced as amended. The House adopted the Committee of the Whole report and referred the measures to engrossing. The chamber then considered HB 4001, a bill regulating alternative nicotine products, with amendments and debate focused on licensing, enforcement, youth access, and whether to add a tax or education provisions; the bill was recommended do pass as amended. It also debated HB 4030 and the related HCR 2052, both aimed at limiting municipal tax and fee increases and allowing increases tied to inflation or new water-source costs. Amendments offered by Democrats to redirect the measures toward affordability, housing, and health insurance claims were ruled out of order or defeated on roll-call votes, while the Olson substitute amendments prevailed. The House ultimately adopted the Committee of the Whole report, sending HB 4001, HB 4030, and HCR 2052 forward as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a national problem when we're paying attention to it. I agree with...
• This is a national problem when we're paying attention to it.
• rent or pay for food.
• Each campus has a pay scale for each staff classification.
• Each campus has a pay scale for each staff classification, and those pay scales can vary depending on

Summary: The subcommittee heard opening remarks and updates from UC President James Milliken and CSU Chancellor Mildred Garcia on the state of higher education, including federal funding losses, civil rights/Title IX compliance, enrollment, housing, and budget needs. Both leaders emphasized the value of UC and CSU to California’s workforce, research, and economic mobility, while warning that federal grant cancellations, investigations, and changes to student aid are creating major financial and operational strain. UC reported losing or having at risk more than 1,600 grants and over $1 billion in research activity, while CSU said it had lost more than 200 grants totaling about $161 million, including minority-serving institution grants that affected student support programs. Both systems said they are investing in civil rights services and trying to limit the release of personally identifiable information in response to federal requests. The committee then reviewed the higher education student housing grant program. Finance and Legislative Analyst’s Office staff said the governor’s budget does not include major new changes but continues support for the program. CSU reported 12 approved projects that will add about 5,047 beds, with roughly 75% below market rate, and said it has about 68,000 beds systemwide, a 92% occupancy rate, and ongoing housing insecurity among students. UC said its housing projects have added more than 7,000 beds when reduced-rent and regular-rent units are combined, but nearly 10,000 students were on housing wait lists at the start of fall 2025. Both systems described rapid rehousing efforts, emergency beds, and partnerships with community colleges, and UC noted several joint housing projects, including at Riverside, Merced, and Santa Cruz. Members discussed whether future housing bonds and use of surplus school sites could help expand capacity. In the enrollment section, the LAO recommended maintaining UC’s 2026-27 resident undergraduate target, funding enrollment growth separately from base increases, pausing the nonresident reduction plan at the three highest-demand UC campuses, and holding UC enrollment flat in 2027-28. For CSU, the LAO recommended revising the 2026-27 enrollment expectation downward to reflect updated projections, while also funding enrollment growth separately and holding enrollment flat in 2027-28. CSU said it has rebounded from pandemic-era declines, is above its funded target by about 3,000 FTE, and is shifting about $89 million and 10,000 FTE from lower-demand campuses to higher-demand ones while developing turnaround plans for seven campuses with sustained enrollment declines, including Sonoma State. UC said it has already exceeded its compact enrollment goals and is planning continued growth, but that sustaining it depends on ongoing state support. Members raised concerns about campus-specific enrollment declines, nonresident caps at UC San Diego, and the need for stronger turnaround plans and teacher preparation pathways. The final section covered core operations and deferred payments: Finance said the governor proposes another one-year deferral of about $129.7 million for UC and $143.8 million for CSU, and the LAO recommended retiring the deferrals when one-time funds are available. CSU described rising compensation, financial aid, utilities, insurance, and deferred maintenance costs, and said it is pursuing cost-saving measures such as procurement alignment, campus integration, and shared administrative services.

Transcript Highlights:

• which has been law for over a year, will be there to protect themselves and make sure that they can pay
• which has been law for over a year, will be there to protect themselves and make sure that they can pay
• which has been law for over a year, will be there to protect themselves and make sure that they can pay
• :36:42.480><c> and</c><00:36:42.640><c> people</c> receiving incredibly low pay and people receiving
• incredibly low pay and people ask<00:36:43.040><c> where</c><00:36:43.200><c> does</c><00:36:43.359><

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It's these compounding effects, alongside the human costs, that make it such an important issue to pay
• We are not having to pay for it. They've willingly partnered with us.
• This was not on my list of questions, but in the private sector, what is the hourly rate of pay?
• This was not on my list of questions, but in the private sector, what is the hourly rate of pay?
• They pay much more than we do because we haven't had a significant increase for the last 20 years.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These retirees won't receive another pay increase in their lifetimes unless Sonoma County can grant an
• We have a pension bond that's expiring in 2030 that we're paying That's expiring in 2030 that we're paying
• into now, that we won't be paying into in 2030, that may be a source.
• We know that many teachers pay out of pocket.
• And just hearing that teachers have to pay for substitutes, I've never heard of that.

Keywords: 988, house, all